Storytelling and aura in photography
By Ian Tee

A&M's Fresh Faces is where we profile an emerging artist from the region every month and speak to them about how they kick-started their career, how they continue to sustain their practice and what drives them as artists. Read our profile on Harit Srikhao here.

Harit Srikhao in his residency studio in Leipzig, Germany. Image courtesy of the artist.

How have you maintained your practice since graduating with your Masters in Photography and Visual Design at Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti (NABA) in Milan, Italy?

I am both an artist and professional photographer. While preparing for exhibitions, I also work as a portrait and fashion photographer. Even though the income from photography is not much, it helps me out financially during the research period.

Storytelling is the important intersection between these two media. I think of my photography works like a film or graphic novel. For me, the most exciting moment is seeing my creative universe expand.

“Storytelling is the important intersection between these two media. I think of my photography works like a film or graphic novel.”

Harit Srikhao, ‘Classroom’, 2013, exhibition view in ‘Cross_Stitch’ at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre. Image courtesy of BACC.

Looking back at your photographic output thus far, what was one pivotal early work?

It would be the photo installation titled ‘Classroom’ (2013), presented at my first group exhibition ‘Cross_Stitch’ (2013) at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC). Then, I was in my junior year at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), Bangkok, Thailand. The installation is made up of black and white portraits of my classmates, and it is a critique of the Thai education system.

Today, I do not like the work much. However, in hindsight, it shows that I have been interested in photo installation from the beginning.

Who has been a mentor or an important artistic influence?

For the first show at BACC, I was invited by Manit Sriwanichpoom who was my mentor since I was in high school. Other important influence is the legendary photographer Nan Goldin. Her book ‘The Ballad of Sexual Dependency’ (1986) completely changed my life.

What was one important piece of advice you were given?

There is a quote from Goldin’s book: "I used to think that I could never lose anyone if I photographed them enough. In fact, my pictures show me how much I've lost.”

Even though my work leans more towards installation and conceptual approaches, I am touched by it and I think that speaks to the value of photography.

Harit Srikhao, ‘Bêtes Éternelles’, 2022, exhibition view at Gallery VER, Bangkok. Image courtesy of the artist.

How did the opportunity for your latest exhibition ‘Bêtes Éternelles’ at Gallery VER come about? Could you talk about the exhibition premise as well as one challenge you faced preparing for it?

I had a solo exhibition titled ‘Whitewash’ at VER in 2017, and ‘Bêtes Éternelles’ was originally set to happen in 2020. However, the onset of Covid-19 postponed the exhibition to 2022. I spent this time further developing the presentation of my works, which can be seen in the use of mirrors, light boxes and a room dedicated to video.

In ‘Bêtes Éternelles’, I am thinking about how every dictator is obsessed about the idea of youthful bodies and immortality. This obsession is reflected in statues made during their reign.

Harit Srikhao, ‘Anima’ from the ‘Incubus’ series. Image courtesy of the artist.

Harit Srikhao, ‘Scintilla’ from the ‘Incubus’ series. Image courtesy of the artist.

One of the works in the exhibition is ‘Scintilla’ (2018) which you created as a tribute to Pakapong Tanyakarn. What were your motivations behind producing this work?

Pakapong died during the period of King Rama IX’s funeral, which was epic and wasted a lot of money. Pakapong was a freshman who died from the brutal punishment and harassment he endured at the military cadet school.In the series, I tried to recreate the same punishments that he wrote about in his diary.

“In ‘Bêtes Éternelles’, I am thinking about how every dictator is obsessed about the idea of youthful bodies and immortality. This obsession is reflected in statues made during their reign. ”

Recently, you seem to be exploring more materials and an installation-based approach in your work. What prompted this trajectory in your practice?

I’ve been thinking a lot about the difference between seeing photography on screen and on print. These days we are bombarded with too many images. I think classic photography lost its aura and traditional ways of presenting photographs are not enough to convey their aura.

Harit in his studio preparing for ‘Bêtes Éternelles’ his solo exhibition at Gallery VER, Bangkok, 2022. Image courtesy of the artist.

Bangkok Wet Dream Towel. Image courtesy of Bangkok Wet Dream.

‘Bangkok Wet Dream’ is a fashion and lifestyle brand created in collaboration with Adisak Jirasakkasem. How did you two get to know each other? What do such interdisciplinary projects offer to your practice?

I exhibited my fashion photography works with Adisak after returning from Milan in 2019. At the time, I was interested in how fashion could be used to discuss politics. This project happened because we wanted to tell a story with political commentary though a pop medium like fashion.
The name ‘Bangkok Wet Dream’ plays on the weather in Thailand, where we have only two seasons which are hot and wet. We thought the towel was the most suitable first product.

Could you share your favourite art space or gallery in your country? Why are you drawn to that space?

I love Bangkok City City Gallery. Their audience includes many teenagers, so it is a lot of fun. At the same time, their programme is intellectually rigorous and contemporary. I think they manage a good balance between art and the commercial side of business.

What are your hopes for your own local art scene, and regionally as well?

I would love to see more art venues that merge together with contemporary art and commercial projects. A place where teens and adults come together. A place that makes the arts FUN.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.