RUBBER ART

Anukool Tungthaisong's exhibition at the BACC reflects on the nature of modern opulence and unseen value

- STORY: SUWITCHA CHAIYONG PHOTOS: APICHART JINAKUL

"My first project was inspired by manual water pumps used to pump groundwater in rural areas. As manual water pumps are rare now, they remind us of transformation which people do not know if it will lead to something better. I made my own manual water pump from photos on the internet and wrapped it with motorcycle inner tubes."

Anukool has developed many artworks involving rubber. He changed from motorcycle inner tubes to truck tubes when he started creating larger works. One of his outstanding pieces, Dinner is a luxurious dining set which consists of a long black table with nine stylish chairs. There is a black vase of black roses and black tableware on the table. An ornate chandelier hangs on a ceiling above the dining table.

Dinner, which was a part of his thesis during his bachelor's degree, won bronze prize in the mixed media category at the National Exhibition of Art in 2022. Additionally, "Dinner" was his first solo exhibition at the People's Gallery in the BACC.

"Dinner was inspired by the idea of an expensive meal that many people cannot afford, yet it is an ordinary meal for some people. All the components of