Exhibition

The Human Clay

Exhibition by Diane Mantzaris, Vasan Sitthiket

February 22nd – March 3rd, 2012

    Number 1 Gallery Bangkok. is proud to present The Human Clay by Australian artist Diane Mantzaris and Thai artist Vasan Sitthiket. Both are artists and social activists.

They believe in the power of art to change the consciousness of society. They are acutely aware of social inequality and they continue to be active in protesting against discrimination and disparity in society. They are not afraid to hold a mirror up to society, even if the reflection is not pretty. They gaze unflinchingly into the depths of society’s problems and create works which are cautionary, subversive and beautiful. They are both very concerned about the ways governments seek to censor artists. Consequently, their works are often viewed as ‘difficult’. For example, despite persistent effort they were unable to stage this exhibition anywhere within Australia, which perhaps speaks volumes of the ultra-conservative nature of Australian public venues.

This exhibition brings the artists together for the first time in eighteen years. They first met when Mantzaris had an artist residency nearly two-decades ago. They have remained firm friends.

Both artists emerged in the early 1980s and quickly rose to prominence in their own countries.

Mantzaris’ use of digital technology during a period when it was the domain of the freakish few, and an almost exclusively male domain at that, was both brave and revolutionary. Mantzaris was seriously addressing the computer's new potential for making an art that would be accessible to the masses. In her native Australia she is regarded as an important pioneer. Her work is held in public and private collections within Australia and internationally.

The Human Clay is an important exhibition which is destined to provoke much discussion and debate. The exhibition will present the major themes these artists are renowned for over their long careers, such as the individual’s fight for equality; the role of big business in the destruction of the planet; refugees; the huge gulf between the haves and the have-nots; the outsider and the underdog.

The title of the exhibition refers to the fact that all human beings on the planet are bound together by their commonality and that they each deserve equality and quality of life. This is vitally important subject matter and it is a testament to the humanity of both artists that they have been willing to dedicate their entire art careers to it.

Fountain of Eve (7 feet tall), Diane Mantzaris, 2011
Photograph,
113x250cm

Fountain of Venus, Diane Mantzaris, 2011
Photograph,
100x150cm

Circassian Beauty, Poodle Exhibit, Diane Mantzaris, 2011
Photograph,
120x145cm

Terras Australis Incognita: Constellation, Diane Mantzaris, 2011
Photograph,
176x120cm

Circassian Beauty, Poodle Exhibit with Unzie the Australian Albino Apollo, Diane Mantzaris, 2011
Photograph,
176x120cm

Garden of Eve: the Ages of In humanity, Diane Mantzaris, 2012
Photograph,
120x206cm

Refugee: Slaves of State, Diane Mantzaris, 2012
Photograph,
120x206cm

Life identity MYTH, Vasan Sitthiket, 2012
Tempera - Pastel on Canvas,
190x107cm

เกิดมาทำไมให้รกโลก, Vasan Sitthiket, 2012
Tempera - Pastel on Canvas,
193x107cm

People can do no wrong, Vasan Sitthiket, 2012
Tempera - Pastel on Canvas,
196x107cm

อตฺตนาหิ อตฺตโน นาโถ, intrend smart, Vasan Sitthiket, 2012
Tempera - Pastel on Canvas,
185x107cm

โลภา ปรมา ลาภา, My greed never enough, Vasan Sitthiket, 2012
Tempera - Pastel on Canvas,
196x107cm

อกฺโกสโก จ อกฺโกสํ, Modern Cool, Vasan Sitthiket, 2012
Tempera - Pastel on Canvas,
190x107cm

Taste Easy Culture, Vasan Sitthiket, 2012
Tempera - Pastel on Canvas,
186x107cm

Mother earth in blues, Vasan Sitthiket, 2012
Tempera - Pastel on Canvas,
193x107cm