Treasure Hunting

An exhibition by Anastasiya Rubanova
1-30 September 2007, Rotunda Gallery

” Treasure Hunting ” is a unique exhibition of graphics and batik by Ukrainian artist Anastasiya Rubanova. This exciting solo exhibition features Anastasiya’s sizeable graphics and etchings, alongside her colorful batiks. The result is an unusual show of graceful natural shapes, where different media extend each other in subtle ways and unveil the hidden beauty of a microcosm. Anastasiya invites you to take a closer look at real treasures, which are close to us but usually unseen in our everyday life – the multitude  of variations of insects and plants.

Anastasiya’s large-scale etchings are interesting because of the ancient and unique technique. The artist learned  the secrets of this time-consuming and ancient art form from professors of Kiev Art Academy, who are the keepers of the forgotten technologies of old masters.  Anastasiya’s etchings will invite you inside the world of insects.

Anastasiya’s beautiful soft-color batiks show you the life of the plants, full of unnoticeable movements. Batiks by Anastasiya combine pure emotions and unique craftsmanship, supported by her confident ability to use this very complex technique. She has been working on her batik skills for over 15 years.

Anastasiya studied art in Ukraine; she completed a National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture in Kiev and got a Master degree in Arts at the same Academy.  More recently she taught painting in the Art College in Sudgou, China. This is Anastasiya Rubanova’s sixth solo exhibition and her first one in Bangkok.

If you would like further information about the artist, or the opportunity
to Anastasiya Rubanova, please contact Susanne van Laarhoven, Curator of the
Rotunda Gallery, by email at [email protected] or
phone at 02-233-1731.

The Rotunda Gallery opening hours are: Tuesday – Sunday 9:30 – 17:00.

Luminessence

An exhibition by Elsie Evans
3-30 October 2007, Rotunda Gallery

Elsie has lived in Asia for 20 years. She was a regular contributor to the Bangkok art scene until her departure to Jakarta in 2004. She is now back. Though she still does her acclaimed portraits there is a new zest to her work.

The paintings in ‘Luminessence’ are not about attention to detail or presenting a pretty picture of worn out views, they are about thunderous light and the resonance of silent light. The notion that light is boisterous but also has eloquence is clearly revealed. There are 2 series of paintings ‘A Temple Ordination’ and ‘The Chinatown Dragon Festival’.  What links them, what unites them? Light.

In the Chinatown paintings, the onslaught of noise, colour and light is astonishing against the inky night sky. Light is powerfully provoked playing on the forms. Hundreds of shapes dance in light, invigorating and unsubtle. The challenge of creating the scenes vital movement, the essence of the mammoth noise and crashing light has been intensely put on canvas.  Even the coarse scrawl paintings on the white canvases spill out the ecstatic movement of the players. We sense that the drummers and dancers are dancing straight out of the picture, they are parading past us.

In broad contrast are the paintings of the monk ordination ceremony at Wat Pak Naam in Thonburi. These 9 large images are flooded with the peace and stillness of the occasion.  The light is again the inspirational catalyst for the paintings, the monks seem incidental. The contrast of the shimmering gold background of a giant Buddha against the dull orange robes of the monks is dramatic. The sensation of reflected gold has a physical element. Look down, touch your skin and see the suggestion of gold light.

Elsie will be painting at the Neilson Hays Library every Sunday during the exhibition from 12 to 4pm. Come along and see her in action. Or she paints every day at her Studio on Sukhumvit soi 49/11. Anyone is welcome. (Phone first she might be running a workshop. Tel 08 3301 1314)
If you would like further information about the artist, or the opportunity to interview Elsie Evans please contact Susanne van Laarhoven, Curator of the Rotunda Gallery, by e-mail at [email protected] or phone at 02-233-1731.

The Rotunda opening hours are: Tuesday-Sunday 9.30 am – 5.00 pm.

Print Sale: Laser Prints by Louise Truslow

Louise Truslow is an English watercolourist who has been based in Thailand since 1990.  She has staged a total of 7 exhibitions in Bangkok, drawing inspiration from the scenes and communities around her.  She paints a wide range of subjects including people, landscapes, urban scenes and architecture.

The Neilson Hays Library is pleased to be able to offer a wide selection of Louise’s vibrant watercolour paintings reproduced as laser prints.  Samples of the prints are available for viewing in Neilson Hays Library.