Prasert Yodkaew is one of emerging Thai contemporary artists who create distinguished and outstanding artworks. His subtle works question about an intersection of traditional Thai beliefs and science and technology of present age, inviting audiences to freely think and interpret. Materials used by artist are ready-made materials and all found objects in daily life. These reflect the condition of material world and contemporary technology; meanwhile, the combination of thought about idealistic material, belief and Thai tradition represents the condition of spirituality and imagination. A piece of art titled “Racharod” means a royal vehicle as in traditional Thai belief that places an urn containing ashes of royal-blooded persons and is invited for funeral proceedings according to ancient Thai tradition. It seems like sending ashes of royal-blooded persons to the heaven by exquisite vehicle. Vehicle is made by wood-carving, gilding and covering with gold leaf and glass inlay. The mentioned method is an exquisite Thai works or the highest work of handcrafts. Moreover, it is believed that when those good and moral people pass away, Racharod will pick up their spirit to the heaven. Prasert raises the belief of Racharod from the traditional notion of Thai and reinterprets by his own view. He creates a vehicle that is formed by a combination of ready-made materials and found objects. A new material is created from a nondurable material like a plaster. A three dimensional models of vehicle was created from a bicycle compositions inspired by traditional Thai architecture. A plaster figure of bicycle rider is modeled its face on artist’s face. Wearing a Thai theatrical crown represents a symbol of divine being in Thai mythology. Overall appearance of plaster figure, for example, twisted forms of its arms and legs and wearing a Thai theatrical crown interconnected his video arts titled “31 + 4 = Angel”. It presents the story of deva falling from the heaven to the human world and trying to find the way to the heaven by building the vehicle from any materials in human world. Prasert’s artwork presents another angle of Thai thoughts towards belief of traditional Thai idealism and a tangible sense of the truth of present age. The symbol used is “Racharod” if this vehicle is able to take human to heaven or not? Science and Belief, what is the truth? Exploring the answer still be an open –end question for human as long as human do not stop thinking and imagining.
- Ochana Poontongdeewattana

*image (left)
exhibition view
Courtesy of Tang Contemporary Art