Debut exhibition at Adult Material, Bangkok’s new queer-focused gallery, challenges norms
Pride Month offers an excellent opportunity to discover a new space for those who appreciate innovative art and enjoy exploring galleries. Adult Material is set to unveil its doors on Thursday, June 18, nestled in the atmospheric streets of Yaowarat. Its inaugural exhibition, “Against the Grain,” showcases an array of striking works from both local and international artists. Enthusiasts of craftsmanship, diversity advocates, and the simply curious will leave the gallery inspired, uplifted by its welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.
Featuring sculptures, photographs, installations, and designs, the exhibited artworks challenge conventional notions of identity, masculinity, and societal norms. Through performances that exhibit discipline and vulnerability, queer perspectives are portrayed as transformative, constantly evolving in various contexts. Themes of intimacy, desire, and power are explored through domestic settings, personal adornments, architectural motifs, and traditional symbols, which serve as arenas for redefining and examining these concepts. The exhibition portrays queerness not only as a subject of exploration but as a comprehensive lifestyle that reshapes perceptions and realities.
Visitors can expect to encounter pieces by artists such as Shen Wei from New York, Oat Montien from Bangkok, Dylan Chan from Singapore, Gregor Jahner from Berlin, and Thyme Neelaphanakul from Bangkok. The visionary behind the gallery, Olivier Chow, is a Swiss-Chinese curator, collector, and critic with an extensive background in humanitarian work. Notably, he was the first LGBTQ+ representative in the long history of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
At its core, Adult Material celebrates fluidity, contradictions, and openness while emphasizing the interplay between art, craftsmanship, and sustainability. The gallery supports creators who value their materials, advocate for eco-friendly production methods, and possess genuine cultural significance. Operating between experimentation and the serious endeavor of art collection, the establishment reflects a commitment to ethical creation and inventive practices.
The grand opening of the exhibition is scheduled for Thursday, June 18, at 6 pm at Adult Material, located at 16 Soi Yaowarat 1, Sampanthawong, Bangkok. “Against the Grain” will be on display from June 18 to August 15, with gallery hours on Tuesday to Friday from 1 pm to 6 pm and Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness this thought-provoking collection and explore the transformative power of art and queerness.