Sophirat Muangkum is a nude photographer based in Bangkok and is the founderof All About Nude Thailand. All About Nude is a group of art nude photographers who have their own obvious approach creations for nude photography. The objective of the group is to get people to understand the nude art concept. Sophirat's works have been exhibited at the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre, Photo Fair Thailand, Midnice Gallery, Radisson Blu, Kudeta, and Rebel Art Space among others. Sophirat's images have been published and featured in Vogue Italia, Zoomaa Norway, Kalblut magazine in Germany as well as local magazines such as Blast and Play. Guru speaks to Sophirat about her passion for human skin.
What sparked your interest in photography?
In 2007, it was a hobby for me and I was a model for amateur photographers. Even at that time I had an opinion on how I wanted to be photographed. I often questioned why they did not shoot certain positions. I decided to self-photograph myself to share my view and vision with them. I first started out as a landscape photographer because I loved travelling, but I was told that I was better at portraits. I am a forgetful person and photography helps me remember things and events in time.
Why chose nude photography?
At the time when I started to sell portraits, I found human skin extremely beautiful -- the light and shadow on it is amazing. Human skin is what drives my passion to photograph people. I like when the light and shadow is cast on the body. Twelve years ago, when I sold portraits I used to often get asked if my photographs were art or obscenity. This drove me further to nude photography.
What was your first exhibition?
After having studied in Germany for three years, I returned to Thailand in 2013. Though the photography community had grown it wasn't for the best. A lot of the 'photographers' were just taking pictures to get closer to women or the models. I then decided to hold an exhibition to showcase that there needs to be a respectful relationship between photographer and model. It was a group exhibition that was held on Halloween so it was called 'Halloween Party Art Exhibition'.
That exhibition was followed by 'The Secret of Skin'; what is your infatuation with human skin?
When I photograph people and see the reflection of the light on the skin, my heart races. I know that this is what I like photographing best.
Tell us about participating in 'Definition of Human./ Being./You', which explored diversity and equality.
This exhibition showcased around 20 female photographers. I have many friends who are part of the LGBT community and I wanted to bring this to the exhibition, which wanted to put a spotlight on diversity and equality. My title was 'Nothing Lasts Forever'. I photographed a friend of mine and wanted him to tell his story through my work. His story inspired my work and learnt that nudity isn't about the body but about the mind and freedom. I wanted to explore the context for nudity for my exhibition.
What are the obstacles of living in such a conservative Asian culture, in most ways, to being a nude photographer?
In Thailand, we always associate nudity with sex and sex is not spoke off in public. No one addresses nudity like a subject in art school or as a tool for studying the body. Nudity can do anything, it is freedom. This is where my question 'What does nudity mean to you?' arises. I have carefully studied the Thai law on what can and cannot be done with regards to nudity. Do the Thai people have a real problem with nudity? Nude photographs taken by foreign photographers go viral in Thailand, but if the work is by a Thai person, it is not shared. It is not accepted. The problem therefore, is not to do with nudity, it is to do with the mindset of the people. Mostly females in Thailand are repressed when it comes to clothing and speech. There are dos and don'ts about how a woman should behave. Whatever you wear or what you say has nothing to do with the public. We have value in other things.
How do you get people to pose nude for you?
When people come to me to be photographed they do so because they are comfortable with showing skin. If they are not, I wait till they are. I wait till they are ready to be photographed in the nude. Women, especially, are uncomfortable with their bodies. So even though they may want to be photographed, they are often not ready to be photographed in the nude. The fact that I also do nude self-portraits helps my clients, a lot. It is clear that people come to me because they trust me. Sometimes people can be shy even though they want to be photographed in the nude. The first question I ask is 'why'. The reason has to be genuine and cannot just be done because it's 'cool', which at times can be a temporary emotion. I don't photograph every client that comes for a nude photoshoot. The second question is to find out the purpose of the photoshoot, what will they do with the photos after?
What's the best way to get comfortable in your own skin?
It is about being open minded and having a positive attitude towards things. It has to come from the person. No one can force them. If you are not comfortable in your own skin, you have to ask yourself why. You are at your most vulnerable with no clothes on, so you have to be comfortable in your skin.
How does is nude photography empowering?
If you love yourself and your body, your self-esteem increases and then you can do anything. It boosts your self-confidence. I am lucky that despite living in a conservative country and taking nude photographs of myself and others, they are not looked at negatively. But that comes mostly from the fact that I am confident about my photography.
What are your future exhibitions?
In May and June, I will be the artist-in-residency and will have a solo exhibition at Maispace in Chiang Mai. In October, I will have a group exhibition at Ilford Galerie Bangkok. I also have a travelling exhibition in Southeast Asia, which is a two-year contract with 1Projects Gallery (Southeast Asia). I have already exhibited for this in January in Singapore.
Visit www.sophiratm.wixsite.com.
