Pop Art Genius
>When I first met Keetatat Sitthiket, Bangkok based Pop Artist and entrepreneur, I was stumbling through a narrow passage, swept along in a hot, sticky tide of humanity, searching for a water stand, coffee bar, fizzy drink or anything to take the edge of the overwhelming heat. I almost passed his shop, then stopped and did a double take.
All thoughts of chilling in a bath of ice vanished on sight of his large, hyper-colorful pictures: superb. I soon found myself elbowing through the crowd, trying to sneak a peek.
All thoughts of chilling in a bath of ice vanished on sight of his large, hyper-colorful pictures: superb.
A keen follower of pop and the way celebrity is portrayed in media, Keetatat has been painting since he was young, and perfecting his skills, even developing the signature texture of the pictures that makes them so desirable. I promptly bought some and grilled him about his work. (I say promptly, but really there were so many cool choices, I basically haunted his store for the next few hours. I wasn’t the only one.)
International Style
Keetatat sells all over the world, from Germany and Hong Kong to Japan, the USA and all points between, and some people even try to imitate him. No wonder, but there’s something special and different about his work.
Accessible, current and painted with a deft hand, glossily textured and perfect, they also have a bite to them, with pithy comments and quotations taken from unguarded or seminal moments in the careers of the artists and sports heroes they depict. Through clever juxtaposition of text and image, they manage to both adulate and at the same time question the very idea of fame. The effect is witty and thought-provoking. As the artist states himself on his Facebook Page: “I’m Famous, Bitch!” The very name itself is slyly humorous: Famous Pop Art Gallery, at once both a statement and a request.
Keetatat sells all over the world…
Aided by his wonderfully kind mother and cheerful uncle, the artist has quite an empire in Bangkok, with several outposts dotted around Chatuchak Market’s immense sprawl. If you visit Bangkok, you must take a tour of Chatuchak, or JJ Market as some locals call it, and definitely seek out Keetatat’s Famous Pop Art Gallery. Or just look him up on Facebook, browse from home and let the art come to you.
The massive image of Katy Perry giving me that look of wide-eyed come-hitherness..
In the end, for me, the massive image of Katy Perry giving me that look of wide-eyed come-hitherness, that only she can manage, was The One. Keetatat Sitthiket, thank you, my walls are happy..
Keetatat Sitthiket, thank you, my walls are happy.
FIND:
Keetatat Sitthiket at The Famous Pop Art Gallery
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/famouspopartbykeetatat
TRAVEL TIP:
No visit to Thailand is complete without at least a day or two in Bangkok. Why not make it the weekend, (Friday to Sunday) if time is short and visit Chatuchak Market? Any taxi Driver will take you, but Skytrain is best. Keetatat’s Famous Pop Art Gallery stalls are dotted in a few places in this fabulous, magical market. You’ll love it and most of all, so will Your walls. Happy Art Hunting!
