Attasit Pokpong, born in 1977 in Thailand, is a leading figure in Thailand’s contemporary art scene. Known for his evocative and often unsettling portraits of Asian women, Pokpong specializes in watercolor and oil painting. His work is characterized by a stark contrast between the pale, almost otherworldly faces of his subjects and the dark, sometimes monochromatic backgrounds. This contrast is occasionally broken by vivid highlights on the lips and hair, creating an unsettling yet captivating visual experience.
Pokpong's signature style involves the sfumato technique, which softens and blurs the skin of his subjects, imbuing them with a dreamlike, mystical quality. The portraits, often emotionally ambiguous, seem to conceal deep feelings beneath their calm surfaces, drawing viewers in with an enigmatic sense of mystery and sensuality. The women in his paintings appear to be caught in a moment of introspection, their gaze inviting but their inner world hidden just beyond reach.
Early in his career, Pokpong focused on portraying bustling city scenes and everyday life in Thailand, including streets filled with traffic and pedestrian markets. His shift towards portraiture marked a new chapter in his artistic evolution, allowing him to delve deeper into emotional and psychological realms through his subjects. Drawing inspiration from both Pop art and Surrealism, Pokpong masterfully balances realism with abstraction, making his work both visually striking and emotionally complex.
Educated at the Rajchamongkol Institution in Bangkok, Attasit Pokpong has exhibited extensively in Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Japan, gaining recognition for his unique blend of traditional techniques and contemporary themes. His work continues to explore the fine line between what is revealed and what remains hidden, compelling viewers to reflect on the unseen emotions that lie beneath the surface of his haunting portraits.
Pokpong lives and works in Bangkok, Thailand, where he continues to develop his distinctive approach to portraiture and remains a rising star in the international art world.