Lot 15: THAVORN KO-UDOMVIT (b. Thailand 1956)

Seed no. 1
signed 'Thavorn Ko' (lower left)
acrylic paint and epoxy on wood
57 5/8 x 6 5/8 in. (146.5 x 17 cm.)

'Art - an expression of our human need to know nature and to show respect for everything in it - attests to the profound understanding of the human soul.' (Artist statement, 2006)

The artist is interested in the intimacy of life and nature. He is concerned with modern advances made in technology allowing human modification to genetic material, and the consequent ramifications in attempting to control nature, which disrupts natural progression that he believes is integral to spiritual growth. His works take a stand against this moderating of nature as this symbiotic relationship between nature and man takes on an almost sacred role in defining the development of the person. This philosophy is manifested in the sculptural pieces Seed no. 1 and Seed no. 2. The basics of nature must be respected for their pivotal role in sustaining life, thus the depiction of the form of the seedling cradled in the centre and becoming the focal point of the work. It is supported by a strip of wood as the main medium. The wooden strips are not manicured and finely hewn but left largely in their original state, as can be seen by the curvature of Seed no. 1. The seedling is cast and painted in gold capturing (cont'd at Lot 16)