Kathmandu Photo Gallery presents "Sleepers", an exhibition of photographs by Pabhawin Disthajorn, on view from March 2-April 27.
It seems easy to photograph the sleeping -- or so you think, the subject is not going to dash off or even move; you wouldn't need to be an expert cameraman.
Because of this, many may overlook or dismiss after a casual glance Thai talent Pabhawin's series of sleepers at airports and train stations.
A longer gaze is rewarded by revelation of the inspiration behind these simple but haunting images: we soon discover that these shrouded sleepers are travelling to a different dimension. They're able to cut themselves off from environmental disturbances as if that public space were in fact their safe haven, their private bedroom.
Cut to a corner of IKEA, a middle-class family is spending its day off selecting bedroom furniture. They fall asleep on the soft mattress and sofas, out of exhaustion from working so hard to pay for their "dream bedroom". Pabhawin captures this series of photos with sympathetic humour.
Curator Manit Sriwanichpoom said the series Sleepers reveals Pabhawin as a sensitive observer of something as simple as sleep, which every human needs. The artist is able to view these sleepers both in the context of public versus private space and as beautiful sculptural forms, as well as reflect the middle-class aspiration for a modern, convenient, tasteful private bedroom at low cost.
Pabhawin, 24, is a recent graduate in visual arts from the School of Architecture, King Mongkut Institute of Technology Lard Krabang. She is working as a graphic designer for a well-known Thai fashion designer. Sleepers is her first solo show.
For further information, call 02-234-6700 or email kathmandu.bkk@gmail.com.
