Vipoo Srivilasa

Elarat / Ela

2022

glazed ceramic with gold lustre and mixed media

160.00 cm (height) approx.

The vessels have been conceptualised as human bodies for a long time. It is the vessel that contains spirit and soul.

My vessel contains the spirit of a character from 130 years old Thai literature named Elarat who is sexually fluid. Elarat sextulity changes every month. One month known as Elarat, a male form and the next month known as Ela, a female form. Elarat is part of the great Ramayana epic story.

The vessel depicts Elarat in both forms, adorned with Dungowan Bush Tomato flowers (A gender-fluid Australian plant that can vary between male, female or neither) and holding Australian Jacks Plant flowers which change its gender from year to year.

Elarat will be standing on a Mushroom coral throne. Mushroom coral can switch from male to female and back again.

The piece is a statement on sexuality and gender fluidity.

sold