Not all of us will make our mark as Mona Lisa, but it is possible to be the centre star of an art piece. If you are a self-confessed shutterbug and lover of art, an interactive art exhibition is currently ongoing at Emporium right now under the name Museum of Me (MOME). Inside the pink pastel box, which has just popped up inside their department store, this museum's showcase will not be complete without its main exhibition: you. Get snapped upon entering MOME and get ready to see yourself turned into art works by 10 different artists. The summer museum visit all ends at the museum gift shop, which of course, sells mementos that star you.
The campaign features 10 rising artists, both Thai and international, who have brought their own splashy vision of summer to MOME. From cartoonish pool loungers and tropical florals to candy-coloured scribbles, visitors will see their own photograph become part of these artists' works. If you've always wanted to get your very own personalised drawing of yourself by popular artists like Juli Baker and Summer, this may not be the freshly drawn keepsake, but could be your next best (and free) option -- for now. It's also a great place to acquaint yourself with some of the hottest and up-and-coming names that have all been brought together into one place, with some of these artists' creations worn by Beyoncé or sought after by global brands like Nike. Muse talked to three of these artists about their own favourite galleries to haunt and how they balance their own artistic integrity for commercial commissions.
Juli Baker and Summer (24)
Juli Baker and Summer.
Popular for her candy-coloured scribbles, Juli Baker and Summer's first commissioned job was drawing the album cover for Thai indie pop band Plastic Plastic while she was still studying at university. A favourite among those who like cheerful and chirpy drawings, you can literally get a piece of her colour-splashed world at @julibakerand summerstore Instagram account, where she sells totes, scarves and tees filled with her dizzying doodles.
What was your idea of summer for your piece at Museum of Me?
I thought it should be something fun and easy to approach, so it made me think of the Guanyin goddess, elements that surround it and the Sun. I'm not usually a religious person and think that everyone has power to define their own future. It's not embedded in your fate or destiny or whatever, so I came up with a goddess of the Sun. Your face is surrounded by all these spiritual items, so that you are the goddess yourself.
When did you know you were interested in art?
When I was around five, in art class they asked us to draw pictures of people and our friends. Everybody coloured their hair brown or black, but I coloured it pink and blue. The teachers thought I had problems with my usage of colour and asked to meet my parents. My parents didn't go in to talk with the school, but rather, thought that I may be imaginative, so they sent me to art classes instead. Since then, I have always studied art.
Who is your favourite artist?
Hockney and Matisse. They were the two I learned about in my first year of university and have been key in helping me find my own style.
What is a gallery/museum you really love?
Outsider Art Gallery, which I came across when I went to Amsterdam. It's a really small gallery in a hidden alley, but they bring in all these artworks that people say aren't pretty. It's like they're outsiders that cannot get into the big museums and they all come here. It's a bit like an underground group. I find that it's really humble, but really cool and sweet in its own way. Plus, the art pieces do get sold too.
What is the point where the artist can no longer balance commercial work with their artistic integrity?
It's a feeling where you feel that the work is not pretty at all. Or in truth it may be, but for you it's not. But in the end, it's your responsibility to deliver, because clients have hired you to do something for them. You may not get to be yourself 100%, but it's your job to make the work come out well. You may have to work twice as hard in order to create something you know the client will like, as well as something you like to give them. But in the end, you just have to accept whichever they choose. You'll get through that commission not feeling very proud of it, but next time, you'll know better to recommend friends whose style may be fitting to what the client is looking for.
Simon Pillard (35)
This Parisian previously circled the fashion circuit in the design team of French brand Castelbajac before recently becoming the art and creative director for The Mall Group's art department. Pillard is the very person responsible for the cute, massive polar bears on display at EmQuartier last Christmas.
What was your idea of summer for your piece at Museum of Me?
My first idea was to do something really pop and fresh so my inspiration came from African wax patterns. It's a mix between African patterns, with sunsets and dolphins. I also wanted to be a bit kitsch, something a bit bad taste. I like it when it's really borderline old-fashioned and new. That's why colours are really 80s: with violet, yellow and pink. It's not the colour that I would like for my house, but altogether it's so awful that in the end I love it.
Who is your favourite artist?
The one I love the most is Nathalie du Pasquier. She was the woman who did all the patterns for Memphis Designs. She did a lot of fabrics, carpets and she drew some design items too. It's funny because she's making a comeback. She was famous before, but now she's even more famous because there is a big comeback of the 80s and so a lot of brands ask her to do patterns and designs for them. She did a thing with American Apparel three years ago and I love her colours. She did a big exhibition in Biennale last year and it was amazing.
What is a gallery/museum you really love?
One that I love in Paris is Palais de Tokyo. Now it's bigger than before with new spaces so it's really impressive. I love the space because when I started to work in Paris, I used to be invited with my boss to a vernissage. I remember going to lots of parties and dancing in this space so I like it a lot. Also because it's rough and looks like a factory. All the museums in Paris are amazing. Every time I go to the Louvre, it's stunning for me even when you know everything by heart. It's always really exciting and impressive to see the pictures you used to see in a book.
What has been the most fun project you've worked on?
When I worked for Castelbajac, there was one time we did a pair of shoes with a lot of jewels on it, as well as a jacket with lots of jewels for a fashion show. After the show, Beyoncé used it in a clip with Lady Gaga so I was really proud. I once worked with Kanye West because he was launching his own fashion brand and asked for a lot of advice from Castelbajac. He came over and we worked all night over the computers on some patterns. It was fun for me.
How do you feel about commercial art?
I don't do art for art. I don't consider myself an artist, but more of someone creative who designs. I think the days when Jean-Michel Basquiat slept on the streets -- it doesn't exist anymore. When we do art, it is to serve something bigger and sometimes it's commercial but that's OK. It's always better to use art than to have horrible packaging.
Tikkywow (39)
Tikkywow works as a creative for an ad agency full-time, but moonlights as an illustrator and street artist off hours. Some of the companies that have used his brand of explosive colours and dark irony range from Nike and G-Shock to Camel and Thai Airways, while his illustrations have appeared in both local and international publications.
How would you describe your style?
Usually the main focus is on colours. I like to use bright ones which evoke a feel of pop art. I like to make my work fun and there's always sarcasm in it.
What has been your favourite project?
I think it was designing the watch with G-Shock. They gave me full reign with the whole collection, from designing packaging to trinkets that come with the watch. But other works I like too are ones relating to Thainess and how to make it modern by using colour combinations that are contemporary. I wasn't sure if people would be OK with the Thai patterns that have been adapted to my style, but I did it and some people liked it. Some of it was featured in Thai Airways' video and that was nice.
Who is your favourite artist?
Jean-Michel Basquiat. His works look like a kindergarten kid drew them. My professor said jokingly that his work is like a kid's, but it isn't limited to what you can't see, because kids don't have limitations and they just draw whatever they want. The fact that so many people accept his work so much must mean there is something about it. I feel that his work is so free, as if a child drew it. He was close friends with Andy Warhol, but he passed away because he was famous and wasn't able to adapt to it. There was also drugs involved, I guess. But today, his work remains popular, even though he's gone.
What is a gallery/museum you really love?
Mori Art Museum in Japan. I like it because they display normal people's work too. Usually I've always thought that galleries only display the works of big shots but this place is open to new artists and contemporaries are showcased too. It's inclusive. In Thailand, it's starting to improve too and there's starting to be open places.
How do you balance creating art and commercial art?
When doing my own thing, it's work for me to take my emotions out on. When I encounter stressful commissions all day, it's releasing to be able to do whatever I want with my own work. I don't really think of it as pure art or commercial though, because you see these things every day. I try to let these things be part of daily life, as they should be.
Museum of Me will be running until April 18 at Emporium. Free admission for children under 16 or spend over 1,000 baht for two tickets.
