INFLUENCES by Thai Artist NEUNG

Neung was born in Samut Prakan, on the southern outskirts of Bangkok. Neung's interest in art started as a young child, when he visited his cousin, who was at architectural school. He would ask his cousin to draw pictures for him and then tell his friends that he had drawn them himself. It was only when one of his friends challenged him to draw that he actually found out that he could, and could do it well.

So the young boy who thought he couldn't draw became the art student. He studied at high school in his hometown and then moved to Bangkok to study at art-college. Neung started with watercolor and, in his early years, painted a lot of portraits. Now he paints primarily acrylic on canvas, but will occasionally incorporate other materials. His themes are taken from the world around. Landscapes, abstracts, Buddhism and local culture.

Neung's passion is for color. Bold primary color. His favorite artist is Dali, though he would be the first to admit that his own work bears little resemblance to that of Dali. "Dali's work is very dreamy, and he makes it seem real; but then it is already done." Neung finds it hard to categorize his own work, though he admits he has his own distinctive style. He is influenced by symbolism and incorporates this into his work frequently, but it is the color that dominate, "I like bright colors, and my style is also aggressive", says Neung.

Neung has held four solo exhibitions in Thailand. He did as well numerous joint shows one of which was at Dick's Café Bangkok, during the first Bangkok Gay Festival in October 1999. He has also exhibited in Sydney, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Neung's exhibition INFLUENCES reflects the local environment, with local cultural and architectural themes incorporated for the first time. Despite the change in theme, the distinctively bold use of color and strong, aggressive brushwork remains.

Neung's exhibition INFLUENCES will be shown in Dick's Café Bangkok from 30 May 2001 to 18 July 2001 from noon to 5am daily.

Dick's Café Bangkok is located in Duangthawee Plaza, 894/7-8 Soi Pratoochai, Surawong Road (opposite Thaniya), Bangkok 10500. Tel: 637 0078