hpgrp gallery NY presents “X.O.TRIANGLE.SQUARE” by Korakrit Arunanondchai; a show curated by Hanna Fushihara Aron.

Although “X.O.TRIANGLE.SQUARE” refers to the buttons on a Sony PlayStation video game controller, the shapes themselves are the most basic abstract forms used in the past and present as building blocks for creative, industrious, and even spiritual invention. Korakrit Arunanondchai believes in the mythic power of these forms and they are often found as focal points in his work, but he uses his own vocabulary of abstracted shapes as the cells to his psychedelic, celestial world. Having been raised in Thailand, Arunanondchai grew up amongst ornate Buddhist temples. His fluid shapes remind one of their decorative murals but also of Sanskrit or Pali that make up his native Thai written language. His work evokes the feeling of a connection between visible and invisible worlds and brings the viewer to a kind of ceremonial experience with his large and enveloping pieces.

In contrast, Arunanondchai has also been influenced by his love of Japanese Manga and video game culture. This is evident in the bright colors he chooses to use as well as the rapid movement frozen in time on canvas or paper instead of on a television screen. The silk screening process that he uses also parallels these inspirations in that it creates a flat surface and removes evidence of the use of hand in their making. The creation of multiple layers by breaking down the overall image is yet another way for Korakrit to abstract information and invents a whole new universe.

Korakrit Arunanondchai is a recent graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design’s Printmaking Department and has worked for both Ryan McGinness and Rirkrit Tiravanija. He has also worked with Dell Computers on several Dell Design Studio notebook patterns and has been a featured artist in the Dell Lounge with accompanying artist’s video which is available for viewing online. He currently lives and works in Brooklyn, NY.

Hanna Fushihara Aron is an independent curator and former owner of Little Cakes Gallery in NYC. She has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, Tokion, Paper Magazine, The Journal, and many others.