Modern Eden

“Actually you are a monkey, and love has no gender.”

This is one of the sentences from a short video in the exhibition, it may short but contains a variety of content that reflects the thoughts of the artists from the exhibition

We can love anyone. The ‘who’ here, the artist has taken us beyond the boundaries of gender, including loving ourselves. When this self-love has grown, we (and they) are willing to reveal new aspects that may have been hidden for some reason or may have ignored our true selves at first because society does not facilitate it, or even deny the true nature of humans, humans who have roots from monkeys, as in the sentence above.

When walking into the exhibition space, the looping voices of the actors projected both images and sounds. Their works divided into two sides to show the difference in presentation before converging at the center of the room with two large paintings (and flanked by perfectly arranged circular paintings).

Anmom painted ‘Adam’, a man in a contemporary perspective. Abandoning the stereotypes that men must maintain their strong masculine elegance, strong muscles that make all the girls cruched on them, or show off their bulging tendons. But no, those images do not abandon these things by revealing their feminine, graceful bodies instead. They still have muscles, but they are muscles that are overflowing with softness. The pores and skin are soft and sweet. The facial expressions and eyes are charming and make you fall in love with. With a soft background mixed with the impressionistic vibe of Monet, a ‘Modern Adam’, if you want to call it that way.

While ‘Eve’ by Phai Tanasan has dug up her true consciousness, that bring them out from the framework of femininity that has been coded or encoded from a certain era long ago. (New) content after Eve eats the forbidden fruit (or the apple of knowledge- by artist), she does not just break away from traditional expectations. But tossing her hair, putting on a smart suit, hanging up a guitar, her eyes full of power and independence, she’s all on fire! Even skin color has been redefined from a dull pale fragility to a 21st century Pantone.

The duo artists have come to a mutual understanding in creating works that explore new imaginative boundaries, challenging the traditional gender conventions that have been passed down from generation to generation. New Adam and New Eve have the right to reveal their true selves, let go of outmoded stereotypes, and are free to love whoever they choose. The artists will take viewers on a journey with a visual dialogue that breaks down stereotypes and celebrates the evolving landscapes of gender identity, love, and strength. It is a space where softness and power coexist, reimagining the Garden of Eden for the modern era. Modern Eden: Boys’ Garden / Girls’ Sanctuary, their exhibition will be on view at JWD Art Space until March 16, 2025. Don’t missed!