The Great Expansion

In our fast-paced, information-saturated world, social media creates a confusing mix of reality and illusion. We’re bombarded by fake personas, negativity, and constant change, leaving us questioning our place in this new, digital landscape and wondering how to navigate it without losing ourselves.

“The Great Expansion” delves into the captivating world of abstract artist Adisak Somkong. This exhibition unveils a series of paintings birthed from an art residency — a three-month period in 2022, at MATDOT Art Center. The residency proved to be a fertile ground for exploration, as it arrived amidst a global hiatus caused by COVID-19. With the world partially on hold, Adisak utilised this time to explore new techniques, pushing the boundaries of his artistic practice.

Adisak combines traditional oil and graphite painting with a unique enamel and fire technique, charring the canvas surface for a textural and mysterious effect. At the center of each piece lies a circle, symbolizing the individual self amidst a world of constant change. His paintings act as a form of self-reflection, prompting us to question our place in this digital age and the potential dangers that lie beneath the captivating surface of social media.

The title, “The Great Expansion,” is a thought-provoking reference to the historical economic crisis of the 1920s — The Great Depression. Adisak compares this past event to the current social media phenomenon, which he sees as a new kind of expansion — a pervasive force that invisibly shapes our lives and identities.

Exhibition period: 18 July – 12 August 2024 at Blacklist Gallery
Opening reception: 5 August, 18.00h