A Reflection on the Power of Collaboration and Overcoming Challenges

Collaboration and Challenges: Reflections on CONVERGENCE

#Celebrations #Fine Art

BRYCE Watanasoponwong

Experimenter, photographer and visual storyteller based in Thailand and Australia

In my previous blog post, CONVERGENCE - Celebrating Emerging Talents in Asian Contemporary Art, I introduced the 3rd edition of the Mango Art Festival and the four talented independent artists with whom I had the pleasure of working closely. These artists came together to re-imagine and transform my existing works, creating a collaborative mosaic of artistic expression. Now, in this blog post, I want to reflect on the experience of working with them and the challenges we faced in creating the CONVERGENCE exhibition.

Balancing creative autonomy and a cohesive vision was a challenge when working with emerging Thai artists who had limited or no commercial experience in fine art, such as Kittkorn Sodakul (Kueto), Panithi Chinbunchorn, Surachet Pupet, and Tul Takeawwong (TULLY). However, through collaboration and hard work, we were able to overcome these obstacles and create something truly beautiful and inspiring. Join me as I reflect on this journey and share the lessons I learned along the way.

Excitement in Working with Emerging Thai Artists

As I reflect on the recently concluded art exhibition CONVERGENCE: A Celebration of Collaboration and Emerging Talents in Thai Art, I can't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to work with some amazing emerging Thai artists. Through this exhibition, we were able to showcase the incredible talents of Kittkorn Sodakul (Kueto), Panithi Chinbunchorn, Surachet Pupet, and Tul Takeawwong (TULLY), and to create something truly unique and beautiful.

Kittkorn Sodakul, aka Kueto, blends abstract and figurative elements in his works, offering unique experiences to viewers. His iconic character 'Kueto,' a boy holding a mask and glove, represents his fighting spirit and readiness to take on any challenge.

Watch Discover the Meaning behind "Last Light" by KUETO

Panithi Chinbunchorn is a photographer who captures beauty in obscurity and the power of contrast. Techno and rock music influences his works, and he strives to create graphic-like images that provoke thought.

Hua Ja Puad (หัว จะ ปวด): Paniti's Powerful Message through Photography

Surachet Pupet is a digital artist who explores his identity and beliefs through his works. He is passionate about digital painting and applications like Procreate, and his works typically reflect his experience with graphic design, print media, and traditional paper drawing.

Watch Blessed: Exploring the Power of Colours in Art

Tul Takeawwong aka TULLY is a self-taught Thai artist with a background in industry and a degree in art. He loves surrealism, heavily influenced by Salvador Dali, and mainly works with painting and digital art.

Watch World of Smiles: The Artistic Vision of TULLLY

Challenges of Balancing Creative Autonomy and Cohesive Vision

Photo: -at River City Bangkok, 2023, Time Out - กรุงเทพฯ.

However, as with any project, there were challenges along the way. One of the biggest challenges was giving the artists enough autonomy to express themselves fully, while also ensuring that the exhibition had a cohesive feel. It was a delicate balancing act, and there were times when I felt frustrated and uncertain about the direction of the exhibition.

Another challenge was the lack of interest and commitment shown by some participating artists. There were times when it felt like I was the only one driving the project forward, and this was disheartening.

Overcoming Challenges with Collaborative Efforts

But despite these challenges, we were able to come together and create something truly special. We worked hard to find a balance between giving the artists creative freedom and ensuring that the exhibition had a cohesive feel. We had many discussions and brainstorming sessions, and through collaboration, we were able to create a vision for the exhibition that we all believed in.

I also made a conscious effort to stay positive and motivated, even in the face of challenges. I reminded myself of the bigger picture and the importance of this exhibition in promoting emerging talent in the Thai art scene. I believed in the artists and their talents, and I knew that if we worked together, we could create something truly amazing.

Reflections on the Power of Collaboration in Art

CONVERGENCE was a success, and we achieved a lot. Despite any outcome, I am proud of what we accomplished. The artworks were diverse, unique, and beautiful, showcasing the emerging talent in the Thai art scene.

Through this experience, I learned about the power of collaboration, positivity, and motivation, especially when facing challenges. Trusting the artists' talent and giving them the creative freedom they needed allowed them to fully express themselves. I also realised that through collaboration and hard work, we can create something truly beautiful and inspiring.

Thank you to everyone who visited and experienced CONVERGENCE and supported us as independent artists. Your support means the world to us.

CONVERGENCE as a Catalyst for Growth and Inspiration in the Art Community

I hope CONVERGENCE inspires others to work together and support emerging and independent talents in the art world. I believe there is so much beauty and creativity out there, waiting to be discovered and shared with the world. And I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of that discovery.

About Me Experimenter, photographer and visual storyteller based in Bangkok BRYCE Watanasoponwong is an experimenter, photographer and visual storyteller. He is interested in producing a narrative series that evokes emotion and makes a personal impact. Becoming more involved in how photography is... read on www.bryce-art.com  |  Subscribe to newsletter

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