YveYANG Gallery is thrilled to present the solo exhibition of Piti Sedthee (b. 1956), titled Piti, on view from May 4 to June 22, 2024. The exhibition showcases twenty-two remarkable paintings by Piti on paper and fabrics, marking his debut outside of his hometown, Chiang Mai, Thailand. The opening reception will be on May 4 from 6-8 PM.

Born in 1956 of Indian descent, Piti Sedthee lives and works in Thailand. As a self-taught artist, Piti creates work that radiates expressiveness and conveys purity, honesty, freedom, and directness. Driven by a profound need to navigate his emotions, Piti has embraced painting as his medium of expression over the past decades. Many of his works feature faces of people from media headlines, family members, and scenes from the depths of his complex mind, even the fleeting smile of a child he saw at the Warorot Market. His practice is rooted in the mundane aspects of everyday life and scenes, while also offering a deeply spiritual and personal interpretation of the realities of life.

Piti’s studio nestles within a clothing wholesale store in Chiang Mai's local market, and his works are scattered across the almost abandoned warehouse, next to stacked plastic mannequins. Most of the works are painted on paper and fabrics originally used for packaging, a few of which are casually hung on the wall clamped by coat hangers. His studio floor is covered with acrylic paints, car spray paint, dyes, crayons, and various local materials. Among the common items in the studio are pictures of Buddha statues and the old Thai king, and news clippings, along with elaborate and well-finished installations placed on countertops and in corners.

In addition to portraiture, Piti finds inspiration in the urban landscapes he encounters during his travels. He has traveled extensively, painting scenes such as the London red bus in the rain, the Liberty Mall, the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, the cityscape of Berlin, and the Patuxai Victory Gate in Laos. Piti’s depiction of the landmarks, and mundane places alike, is highly concentrated, almost abstract, yet brimming with energy—Through expressive brushes, bold colors, and alternative painting materials, Piti’s work explores possibilities for the otherworldly to narrate or reimagine the everyday scenes.

This exhibition wouldn't have been possible without the invaluable assistance of Honglei Yu and Di Zhang, to whom we extend our heartfelt thanks.