To dive deeper into “The Blur – Shapeshifting,” discover how Jonathan Armour and Jakkrapan Sriwichai explore the fluidity of identity and the powerful forces that shape our perception of self and environment.
Selected as prominent artists under the Design Lab: Performing Arts project by Studio 88 Artist Residency, Jonathan Armour and Jakkrapan Sriwichai challenge conventional boundaries through their art. “The Blur – Shapeshifting” is an exploration of the delicate boundaries between identity, transformation, and the unseen forces that shape our world. This exhibition examines the concept of blurring—where distinctions between the physical and the symbolic, the visible and the concealed, become indistinct—and shapeshifting, the transformation of form and meaning. Both “Veil” and “Buffalo Ghost” embody these themes, revealing the fluidity of identity and the profound impact of external forces on our understanding of self and environment.
VEIL by Jonathan Armour
Jonathan Armour’s “Veil” is a powerful commentary on the duality of concealment and revelation. Inspired by the 1651 frontispiece by Thomas Bartolin, which depicted the flayed skin of a man, “Veil” is a photographic representation that reimagines the human body’s outermost layer as both a barrier and a storyteller. By juxtaposing ancient humoral palettes with a macabre yet carnivalesque visual language, Armour blurs the lines between the inner self and outward appearance. “Veil” questions the skin’s role as a membrane that both hides and reveals our identity.
Buffalo Ghost by Jakkrapan Sriwichai
Jakkrapan Sriwichai’s “Buffalo Ghost” is a performance art piece rooted in the ecological and cultural history of Wiang Nong Lom, Chiang Rai. Through this work, Sriwichai addresses the ongoing destruction of wetlands by large-scale government projects, symbolized by the death of a buffalo at the site of development. “Buffalo Ghost” mourns the loss of biodiversity and questions the sustainability of progress that sacrifices shared natural resources. This piece serves as a poignant reminder of the fragile balance between human ambition and the environment.
The Blur – Shapeshifting exhibition showcases photographic representations of the artwork. This exhibition is part of Studio 88’s Dream Catcher & Soul Searching project selected under the Upper Floor project, organised by the Creative Economy Agency (CEA) and the Thailand Creative Design Center (TCDC) Chiang Mai.
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