Artists on Coping: Kay Sirikul Pattachote

During the Coronavirus pandemic, Art Spiel is reaching out to artists to learn how they are coping.

Kay Sirikul Pattachote‘s paintings utilize the abstracted forms of flowering plants as a vessel for channeling her daily meditations. These plant forms provide parameters for her interpretive brushwork and within them she is able to record her experienced energies and emotions. Ritualistic actions, such as sewing and repetition, further her meditative practice and deepen her ability to record the ephemeral on her surfaces.

AS: How are you coping?

SP: I have been aware of this situation since it started in China. I’ve spent more time reading to understand about this virus, how to prevent catching or spreading it, and I keep myself updated on the news. So my morning routine was interrupted a bit by checking on my family members, who live overseas, to update the situation on three sides – US, Thailand and Switzerland. I am an introvert and work based from home, so I don’t have any problems being quarantined. Of course, I am concerned about financial aspects and my art career, as people will spend money mostly on essential things first. But I have hope that this situation will pass, and new opportunities will come. We just need to prepare for it wisely and patiently.

AS: Has your routine changed?

SP: Yes, my morning routine has changed more to family matters and news updates instead of being with myself and painting. I have been painting less and thinking more about how I can help others. I have been sewing masks and giving them away to some friends and neighbors. I started growing my own vegetables and researching ways to make my lifestyle more eco/sustainable. So right now, I have changed my routine up by adding more studying and spending more time with family, personally and remotely. But painting is still the main way to keep myself calm and centered.

AS: Can you describe some of your feelings about all this?

SP: I feel that the world has changed completely. A different way of living is now here, and we have to adjust ourselves to this change. I strongly believe that we humans have harmed nature and animals too much. It’s time to stop hurting nature. These are stressful times, undoubtedly, but these times have helped us to be more connected to our family and people that really matter to us, and teaching us that health is more important than money.

AS: What matters most right now?

SP: Being healthy, physically and mentally, are always things that I think are most important, but now especially so. For now, eat healthy, exercise, meditate and make art first. Then keep studying and looking for an opportunity. I believe that having good energy will attract good things to come.

AS: Any thoughts about the road ahead?

SP: I hope things will get back to some semblance of normal soon. When traveling is safe again, I would like to find a way that I can work and spend more time with my mom in Thailand and to learn more about an efficient lifestyle. I will be more careful picking natural and local materials in my artwork and my daily products, focusing on quality over quantity in everything. Also, I think the gallery format will change, and I’d like to find ways to show my work independently outside of galleries, and collectively with collaborative artist initiatives.

Etty Yaniv works on her art, art writing and curatorial projects in Brooklyn. She founded Art Spiel as a platform for highlighting the work of contemporary artists, including art reviews, studio visits, interviews with artists, curators, and gallerists. For more details contact by Email: artspielblog@gmail.com