Shooting Gallery presents Essentializing the Essence by Pakpoom Silaphan

Shooting Gallery is pleased to present the new work of Pakpoom Silaphan in his latest exhibition titled, Essentializing the Essence. The opening reception will be Saturday, September 13 from 7 pm to 11 pm. The exhibit will be on view through October 4, 2014 and is free and open to the public.

From the perspective of an Easterner, Pakpoom Silaphan explores the phenomena surrounding a "West-Obsessed" world. Silaphan, who is very much influenced by Pop Art of the 20th century, re-works found objects to create his own fresh interpretation of Pop Art. By doing so, he addresses issues of mass consumerism and the effects of globalization. Rendering historic Western cultural icons such as Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, James Dean and Marilyn Monroe on reclaimed Thai signs for Coca-Cola, Fanta, Pepsi, etc., Silaphan examines both negative and positive notions of international integration, while also implying the artists’ identity as a recognized global brand itself. The infiltration of Western imagery and ideology has had profound influence on Silaphan’s understanding of the West and on his artistic practice. Due to the nature and juxtaposition of Silaphan’s work, he creates an engaging dialogue between East and West, as well as the universal language of signs and symbols.

With an impressive and extensive CV, Silaphan has exhibited work in London, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Delhi, and has been featured in many notable publications as well. In 2012 he was featured in “For Which It Stands: Americana in Contemporary Art” by Carla Sakamoto, published by Farameh Media. In 2011, Emma Love of The Independent described Silaphan’s work as “a sign of the times” and in 2013 “the Pop artist of these times.” Silaphan has been featured twice in the Financial Times, Elle Magazine, and more.