Undressed to Dress Up (5/11/20–31/1/21)
Venue: River City Bangkok
Ping Hatta’s new series of fashion portraits reflect her self-(re)discovery process during the Covid19. With canceled plans and not being able to travel back to New York indefinitely, Ping used this challenging time to contemplate not only about the global impact of the pandemic, but also how it “undressed” her career and her life on a personal level.
“This cosmic reset is bigger than our inconvenience, our personal hardships, and it definitely changes the fashion landscape. I had to pause and reflect deeply: What kind of life do I want to live? Does my work align with my values? What does “fashion illustration” mean to me? In a way, thanks to Covid19, I rediscover myself and my art again – metaphorically speaking, I “Undressed” my old limiting beliefs and letting go of what no longer serves me, and “Dress (myself) Up” with what I want to put out there to the world.”
In this series, Ping’s work redefines “fashion illustration” – an area traditionally home to long-legged figures, often Caucasian, holding model poses or strutting down runways. She focuses on the relationship between contemporary fashion and its impact on how a woman carries herself: well-dressed with an attitude of self-awareness and an aura of confidence. There is no specific muse in the paintings — the empowering attitude, the appreciation of real female form, and representing diverse beauty is what Ping always adheres to.