Painting as Event: Xie Fan Explores Materiality and Light at Bangkok Kunsthalle Bangkok Kunsthalle, March 29 – 31, 2025

Renowned artist Xie Fan is set to present an immersive exhibition, Painting as Event: Materiality and Light in the Practice of Xie Fan, at the Bangkok Kunsthalle from March 29 to 31, 2025. Known for his experimental approach to painting, Xie Fan bridges painting, ceramics, and performance, transforming the gallery into an ephemeral experience shaped by time, light, and material interactions.

The three-day event highlights Xie’s distinctive process-driven methodology, incorporating large-scale sponge pigment paintings and terracotta works that engage with the environment. His sponge paintings, created with red earth from Khao Yai Art Forest, evolve with the light, revealing shifting textures and tones throughout the day. Visitors will experience his work in a unique and intimate manner, navigating the exhibition with candlelight in the evenings, emphasizing the transient nature of his practice.

Beyond visual art, Xie integrates culinary and communal elements into the event. Limited servings of his signature mapo tofu will be available during the day, while each evening he will host an exclusive dining experience. This full-course meal, served in handcrafted ceramic vessels, connects the themes of materiality, ritual, and impermanence present in his work.

The experience culminates on March 31 with Painting as Event: Dining Experience, an intimate gastronomic performance that extends Xie’s philosophy of impermanence to the realm of food. The menu pays homage to traditional Chinese cuisine while subverting expectations, reinforcing the idea that art, like a shared meal, is best appreciated in the fleeting moment.

Xie Fan, also known for his acclaimed restaurants 皴 / cun in Shanghai and Datenbank in Chengdu, brings his expertise in blending art and gastronomy to this special event. With Datenbank featured in the Michelin Guide, his culinary practice aligns seamlessly with his artistic exploration of human connection and cultural memory.

Tickets for Painting as Event: Dining Experience on March 31 are available for THB 6000 per person, inclusive of a private viewing and a meticulously crafted degustation menu. Reservations can be made through Ticketmelon.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to engage with Xie Fan’s transformative art, where painting, performance, and dining converge into an unforgettable sensorial experience.