Vipoo Srivilasa
Myself, 2000
glazed ceramic, gold lustre and mixed media
30 x 24 x 21 cm
Series: S&M Mermaid series
Myself 2000 From the S&M Mermaid series. I created this work after attending my first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in 1999. The event liberated me—it opened my heart...
Myself 2000
From the S&M Mermaid series.
I created this work after attending my first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in 1999. The
event liberated me—it opened my heart and mind to a culture, a community, and a celebration I
had never experienced before. For the first time, I felt like I belonged and was free. It was a
turning point that awakened a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me.
That experience led me to create the S&M Mermaid series. I used S&M imagery as a metaphor
for how I felt growing up in Thailand—constrained by traditional values and cultural expectations
that made it difficult to express my queerness publicly. In this piece, the man in bondage
represents me, while the mermaid—playful, powerful, and free—is my alter ego.
I’ve always loved mermaids. Since childhood, I was captivated by the stories my grandmother
used to tell me—especially one about a mermaid born to giants but married to a human soldier.
She lived her life in-between two worlds. That mermaid became a symbol for me. Like her, I live
between two worlds—East and West—and navigate them both with joy.
This particular work was inspired by The Music Lesson (c. 1765) by the Chelsea Porcelain
Factory, which I discovered in the NGV collection. While the piece draws from 18th-century
ceramic traditions, it fuses them with elements of Thai visual culture. The gold gilding and
intricate details reference Thai decorative styles—ornate, vibrant, and full of details. The
mermaids are adorned with traditional Thai jewellery like necklaces and belts, while the men
bear tattoo patterns derived from Thai designs.
Her overall aesthetic is theatrical and camp, echoing the spirit of Thailand’s famous drag
cabaret shows such as Alcazar and Tiffany, performed by transgender artists. In many ways,
my ceramic works embrace the same spirit—transformative, expressive, and unapologetically
bold.
Although this work was made in 2000, over 25 years ago, it captures a moment of personal
awakening. Thankfully, much has changed since then—but this piece still reminds me of the
freedom and joy that comes with finding your place in the world.
From the S&M Mermaid series.
I created this work after attending my first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in 1999. The
event liberated me—it opened my heart and mind to a culture, a community, and a celebration I
had never experienced before. For the first time, I felt like I belonged and was free. It was a
turning point that awakened a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me.
That experience led me to create the S&M Mermaid series. I used S&M imagery as a metaphor
for how I felt growing up in Thailand—constrained by traditional values and cultural expectations
that made it difficult to express my queerness publicly. In this piece, the man in bondage
represents me, while the mermaid—playful, powerful, and free—is my alter ego.
I’ve always loved mermaids. Since childhood, I was captivated by the stories my grandmother
used to tell me—especially one about a mermaid born to giants but married to a human soldier.
She lived her life in-between two worlds. That mermaid became a symbol for me. Like her, I live
between two worlds—East and West—and navigate them both with joy.
This particular work was inspired by The Music Lesson (c. 1765) by the Chelsea Porcelain
Factory, which I discovered in the NGV collection. While the piece draws from 18th-century
ceramic traditions, it fuses them with elements of Thai visual culture. The gold gilding and
intricate details reference Thai decorative styles—ornate, vibrant, and full of details. The
mermaids are adorned with traditional Thai jewellery like necklaces and belts, while the men
bear tattoo patterns derived from Thai designs.
Her overall aesthetic is theatrical and camp, echoing the spirit of Thailand’s famous drag
cabaret shows such as Alcazar and Tiffany, performed by transgender artists. In many ways,
my ceramic works embrace the same spirit—transformative, expressive, and unapologetically
bold.
Although this work was made in 2000, over 25 years ago, it captures a moment of personal
awakening. Thankfully, much has changed since then—but this piece still reminds me of the
freedom and joy that comes with finding your place in the world.
Art every week.
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