Pex Pitakpong is a Thai artist who specializes in creating exuberant manga characters that are inspired by his daily travels, as well as complex societal issues. Opening tomorrow, January 11, NANZUKA in Tokyo will present his first solo exhibition at its UNDERGROUND location in Shibuya.
Welcome To My World is a summation of the many years Pitakpong worked as an illustrator. Each character — drawing from his editorial days — are vibrant, wide-eyed and serve as a metaphor for the diverse lives of different communities around the world. In particular, Pitakpong chose to highlight the customs and challenges that the Akha peoples of Asia’s highland regions — from their customs and traditions to the human rights issues, economic poverty, and educational disparities they face.
The exhibition comprises of seven canvas artworks, as well as 99 drawings that explores Pitakpong’s own daily observations mixed with his imaginary musings, along with the wider concerns in today’s world. In the latter drawings, he used the humble ballpoint pen to create meticulously detailed portraits of children wearing fantastical animalistic garbs, while overlaid with messaging in Thai. Welcome to my World will be on view in Tokyo form January 11 to February 3.
