Thai artist Natee Utarit’s exhibition “Déjà vu: When the Sun Rises in the West” at The Private Museum in Singapore confronts viewers with an embroidered artwork of a classical European building façade, graffitied with a passage from the Dhammapada. The quote, “The flickering, fickle mind, difficult to guard, difficult to control – the wise man straightens it as a fletcher straightens an arrow,” introduces the central themes of Utarit’s work: the intersection of Eastern philosophy and Western traditions.
Spread throughout the museum, Utarit’s paintings, sculptures, stained glass, and embroideries reimagine the reversal of historical power dynamics between East and West. The exhibition explores an alternate history in which the Buddha, rather than being confined to Asia, travels to Europe and shares his peaceful teachings before the rise of Western civilization. This hypothetical scenario challenges the dominance of Western thought and its global influence. Aaron Teo, associate director of the museum, reflects on the exhibition’s timeliness amid current global tensions.
Utarit’s journey toward this vision began in 2018, when he visited the National Archaeological Museum of Naples and encountered the Doryphoros, a statue that evoked the form of a Buddha sculpture created by Italian-born Thai artist Silpa Bhirasri. Inspired by this encounter, Utarit imagined a world where Buddhist philosophy permeated Western culture, thus altering the course of history. The blending of Buddhist iconography with traditional European mediums like embroidery and stained glass allows Utarit to question cultural hybridity and colonial dominance.
Key works at the museum include site-specific stained glass pieces, such as “Separation from the Loved is Suffering,” which uses the medium historically associated with Christianity to explore Buddhist beliefs. A striking bronze sculpture, “The Supreme,” features a Buddha figure inscribed with Dhammapada texts, recontextualizing graffiti as a tool for communication rather than vandalism. The STPI exhibition in Singapore continues this exploration, showcasing delicate sculptures made from handmade cast paper, emphasizing East-West relationships through symbols like the Wheel of Dharma and motifs inspired by Roman columns.
Through this exhibition, Utarit invites reflection on the global influence of Western ideals while emphasizing the importance of preserving Eastern philosophies and values.
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