Yesterday I went back to Koi Art Gallery on Sukhumvit 31 in Bangkok. I had last been there in April of 2011 for the opening of Chris Coles, Navigating the Bangkok Noir exhibit.

On this occasion I had missed the opening, which was fine with me as it allowed me to talk to Koi Art Gallery Business Development Manager Kruti Mawani one on one about up and coming Thai artist, Kowit Wattanarach and his current art show, which opened Friday, September 27th 2013 and runs until October 30th, 2013. She was helpful and informative about the artist and the exhibit.

The characters found in the large oil paintings by family man, Kowit Wattanarach are players of the night games painted in a colorful, exaggerated and whimsical fashion.

Midnight Blossom by Kowit Wattanarach

Here is an excerpt from the Games of Desire Press Release:

In delving beyond the surface of beautiful faces and bodies, the artist seeks to illustrate the various issues which have been transcended into a national social dilemma for Thailand.
Kowit Wattanarach seeks to stir debate around what has become a national social dilemma: while illegal, Thailand’s dens of ill repute are regulated and supported due to their commercial success. For those who work in the trade – many times, successive generations of women – the outcome of such a career is rarely a happy one.

Booty Girl by Kowit Wattanarach

Through Games of Desire, the artist has thrown into sharp relief the complicated truth and conflicting emotions that exist around this dilemma. Mysterious and seductive, the creatures of the night may seduce men – wittingly or unwittingly – into falling in love with them. And while a semblance of affection exists during these shared moments of beauty, the love one finds here is as real as a paper rose.

Little Dragon by Kowit Wattanarach

Not surprisingly, I learned that most of Kowit’s painting being shown at the Games of Desire exhibit had been sold – there are only three remaining. But whether you are in the market to fill a space below your cathedral ceiling or would just like to see talent on display, it is well worth a trip to Koi Art Gallery on Sukhumvit 31. Complete contact details are shown at the end of this post.

The above painting by Kowit depicts a Marilyn Monroe-like image and is titled: I DON’T WANT TO MAKE MONEY, I JUST WANT TO BE WONDERFUL.

Kowit obviously does not shy away from controversy. I am sure he has some critics – all successful artists do. But I left the Koi Art Gallery as a fan. If these images look impressive to you on a computer screen I can attest that they look even better at Koi Art Gallery. Drop by if you are in the neighborhood.

Games of Desire Art Exhibit by Kowit Wattanarach runs until October 30th, 2013. Koi Art Gallery is located at 43/12 Soi Sukhumvit 31 (Sawaddee) Klongton North, Wattana, Bangkok 10110 THAILAND

Gallery Hours are 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Click the Koi Art Gallery picture, above, to go to their Facebook page.