Vipoo Srivilasa, known simply as Vipoo, is a talented ceramic artist originally from Thailand who now resides in Melbourne. For over two decades, he has been creating elegant and playful porcelain sculptures that explore themes of queerness, migration, and spirituality.
Vipoo’s work is characterized by a sense of community, accessibility, and unwavering optimism. His dynamic characters, often adorned in a range of glazes from cobalt to gold luster to bright red, gesture with their fingers in a “V” shape, symbolizing messages of peace and victory. Some of his sculptures appear to dance, wave, or cheer, exuding a sense of joy and positivity.
Many of Vipoo’s sculptures are given titles like “Salutaris, the Patron of Well-being” or “Calma, the Spirit of Tranquility,” indicating their protective or uplifting roles. Through his work, Vipoo explores universal values such as trust, fairness, and togetherness, emphasizing the importance of strong relationships and communities.
Currently, Vipoo’s solo exhibition, “re/JOY,” is on display at the Australian Design Centre in Darlinghurst, just outside of Sydney. The exhibition showcases a diverse range of stories about people’s migration experiences in various parts of Australia. Drawing on personal stories and mementos collected from strangers across the country, Vipoo weaves together a collective narrative that celebrates diversity and shared experiences.
Accompanying the exhibition is a vibrant new monograph titled “Positive Art Work,” which commemorates 25 years of Vipoo’s artistic career. To learn more about Vipoo and his work, visit his website and follow him on Instagram.
Overall, Vipoo Srivilasa’s ceramic sculptures beautifully capture the essence of joy, optimism, and community. Through his art, he invites viewers to reflect on the importance of connection, empathy, and shared experiences in today’s world.
