FROM STAND-UP TO SOULFUL ART

Comedian Udom 'Nose' Taephanich reveals his struggles through a deeply therapeutic art exhibition at Iconsiam

- STORY: SUWITCHA CHAIYONG

naturally in line with art principles," explained Pradit.

Udom “Nose” Taephanich is known as the most famous stand-up comedian in Thailand. On stage, Udom tells stories close to home and engages audiences with a humorous style of talking, which is why tickets for his performances always sell out. Although Udom made people laugh, he did not realise he was stressed until he went to consult a psychiatrist.

That conversation is revealed in Udom’s latest solo art exhibition “Lost In DomLand”. In a video, Udom tells host Sarawut “Newklom” Hengsawat that his psychiatrist told him his job was stressful.

“My psychiatrist said I had to tell stories inspired by painful experiences and change them into jokes. I was also under pressure when preparing for a performance because I did not know how the audience would react to my skit. Fortunately, art is a way to release my stress. I believe art is a therapy and it is how I survive and keep a balance in my life,” said Udom.

At the exhibition, viewers will learn that Udom turned to art for therapy because he had victim of bullying for over six years.

“I was born in Chon Buri, but after my father was murdered by a domestic worker, my mother decided to move to Surin where nobody knew us. I became a midterm transfer student, so I had no friends. I did not know the local language and had a braid in my hair. It was a folk belief that if a child is unhealthy, a monk must adopt his spirit in order to protect him, and he must keep an uncut braid. Because of these factors, I became a bullying victim. I felt like I was an outsider and started to write and draw to release stress,” said Udom.

“Lost In DomLand” displays over 1,000 works from the wild imagination of Udom. There are many art pieces because Udom creates every day. He has previously stated if he does not work on art, he will feel like he has not eaten.