Narisara Jirojananukun presents her first solo exhibition Supermodern Romance at the UAL Space in Peckham Levels, London. Open from 27 November to 6 December, the exhibition consists of new and existing works blending illustration, fine art and photography.
The exhibition is curated by Charmaine Wah
In Supermodern Romance, Thai artist Narisara Jirojananukun presents her interrogation of ‘non-places’ through the lens of an investigator at Waterloo Station, London. The exhibition title references French anthropologist Marc Augé’s text ‘Non-places: An Introduction to an Anthropology of Supermodernity’ (1992). Augé posits that non-places, such as train stations, are transient spaces designed to lack specificity in our supermodern landscape, characterised by overabundance and excess. These are spaces where people remain anonymous and lonely.
Jirojananukun’s work critically inquires about the extent to which non-places lack connection and collective meaning. Through a series of investigative photography, moving image, etching and painting, she reveals and reconnects with brief moments of intimacy. Such scenes include waiting for a loved one with two coffees in hand, the shared anticipation and anxiety of watching train departure boards in a crowd and weaving towards the same direction as a stranger. Her work captures a train station’s gentle possessiveness in holding us in ephemeral moments of connection in our everyday lives. Even though we move apart, we still move towards each other.
Text by Charmaine Wah
Artist and Curator Talk:
Supermodern Romance
Come join us at the UAL Space at Peckham Levels for an informal tour of the exhibition, Supermodern Romance. This exhibition was born from a collaboration between University of the Arts London (UAL) MA Illustration student, Narisara Jirojananukun, and MA Curating and Collections student, Charmaine Wah.
In this in-person talk, get an exclusive insight into the artistic and curatorial processes behind the exhibition, our experience navigating artist-curator collaboration, and an open discussion on the exhibition themes in the cosy pantry of the UAL Space. See you there!
Date: 29 November 2024, Friday
Time: 1pm – 2pm
Venue: UAL Space, Level 6
This talk is open to the public, reserve your free ticket on Eventbrite here:
Artist biography:
Narisara Jirojananukun is a Thai illustrator, photographer, and visual artist whose work bridges storytelling, printmaking, and photography. Her practice explores moments of human connection in everyday and transient spaces, capturing the subtle beauty of touch, gestures, and interaction. Her ongoing research focuses on how printmaking and photography intersect to create tactile and visual narratives that reflect shared human experiences. She aims to create works that are simple, accessible, and uplifting, drawing inspiration from small, beautiful moments in the world. She is currently completing an MA in Illustration at Camberwell College of Arts, University of the Arts London, where her practice-based research focuses on connection and humanity. Prior to this, she earned a Bachelor of Medical Education Technology (First Class Honors) from the Faculty of Medicine, Mahidol University, Thailand.
Website: www.pgnarisara.com
Instagram: @pgnarisara
Curator biography:
Charmaine Wah is a Singaporean curator, producer and researcher. Approaching exhibitions as informal learning spaces, her creative practice examines heritage, subcultures, archives and the sonic. Her ongoing research investigates do-it-yourself (DIY) archives of Singaporean experimental and punk subcultures and how they exist at the intersection of political ideology, heritage and cultural memory. In a previous life, she conducted research in mathematics education and education psychology. She is currently completing a MA in Curating and Collections at Chelsea College of Arts, University of the Arts London. She previously graduated with a Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours (Distinction) in Psychology from the National University of Singapore.
Instagram: @charcharwah