As you step inside “The Color Blue Dream”, an art exhibition by Thai female artist Atjima Jaroenchit, you will be immediately notice the sound of crashing waves in the background while you’re looking at a series of paintings of various sea conditions, rendered in seemingly endless shades of blue.
The Color Blue Dream
Blue is more than just the artist’s favourite colour, but the deeper meaning is much more captivating. Atjima told us that she personally loves to look at things that are blue and often finds herself picking items with the colour, whether it’s a shirt or a mug.
“I find blue to be a very attractive colour, which led me to discover the deeper meaning of it,” Atjima explains.
After doing a decent amount of research, Atjima discovered a surprising, yet captivating fact. The colour blue is associated with the practice of ‘Vipassana’ meditation in Buddhism, which evokes tranquility and serenity. Different shades of blue also express different virtues. Light blue signifies purity and innocence, while dark blue signifies wisdom.
“Blue makes us feel calm and makes us feel that we’re able to control our emotions,” she said. If the artist has to compare herself with any shade of blue, however, she thinks that deep blue fits her calm and discreet personality and that she can look at such shades without getting bored.
Meanwhile, many of her paintings revolve around the sea and the flow of water, which has ultimately became her signature style. Her paintings can be classified as “abstract art”. Abstract in this sense is not about throwing paint all over your canvas though. Abstract, from Atjima’s perception, refers to ‘feelings’ of the sea, with its movements used to interpret various emotions.
“When other people look at the sea, they think it’s a place. For me, however, these paintings of the sea reflect my own feelings, as if I am the sea,” Atjima explains.
“The waves can reflect different feelings. So, depending on how I’m feeling at the time, I will imagine the speed of the wave, the shape of it or how ‘happy’ the waves will look, making the waves crash together to reflect that joy.”
Atjima took more than two years to finish this latest series, which in an evolution from her previous exhibition “Abstract of Water” in 2021. Therefore, her ultimate aim is for visitors to feel serenity and at peace whenever they step inside the exhibition.
“This is where you can relax to a point that time slows down or even stops for a while.”
Women in fine arts
Atjima graduated from Silpakorn University, with a bachelor’s degree in printmaking and a master’s in painting from the Faculty of Painting, Sculpture and Graphic Arts. She obtained her Doctor of Philosophy in Visual Arts from the same university in 2016.
As a “full-time” artist for more than 20 years, Atjima has noticed that the treatment of women in fine arts has been changing over the years.
In the old days, the abstract artist felt that female Thai artists did not have the same opportunities to showcase their talents as male artists and collectors used to hold views biased against artworks made by women. Even back when she was studying at Silpakorn University, there were not many women enrolled in fine arts, with only 12 or 13 female artists among as many as 30 male students in a class.
“Whenever I showcase my artworks, I don’t see many women there. Sometimes, I might be the only female in the exhibition among 4 or 5 men. So, when people look at my art, I would feel that they still think of me as a woman, with a biased view.”
Nowadays, Atjima believes that the mindset towards female artists has changed, thanks to their seniors who have inspired a new generation of women to join the industry. She is also proud to see more of them gaining more respect, being recognised and praised for their powerful creations.
“Women have proven that they are not a vulnerable gender and their works are so strong and powerful. I also think that women don’t work to become competitors, but with the belief that, if they use their fullest potential, people will eventually accept them for the incredible work they have done.”
However, when asked whether she considers herself to be a successful artist, she said she honestly has never thought about what success should be for an artist, adding that it is rather subjective and depends on the individual.
“Whenever you take this career path, art is like a journey or an adventure,” she believes. “Success is not about how much money you earn. If you think you’ve succeeded, you won’t search or try new things. Whenever you think this way, nothing will be a challenge anymore.”
A final piece of advice for women, especially youngsters, Atjima suggests that they showcase their true identities ‘as vividly as possible’. This would be most applicable to those who aspire to become artists, stating that, if someone calls out your name when they see your artwork, it means your identity is outstanding enough for people to recognise you through your creations.
“Once you showcase your identities without copying others, your work will be outstanding in your own way.”
By Nad Bunnag, Thai PBS World
