Artist Interviews 2022

Gank Pansuay  
By Julia Siedenburg



Gank Pansuay is a truly extraordinary artist. His pieces are filled with beauty, power, and emotions. His focus is on natural elements in combination with female subjects and one of his magic tools in creating these amazing artworks is a razor blade.

I was in awe when I discovered this mesmerizing work and I am so glad I got to ask the artist about the motivation behind it and get to share these insights with you, dear reader. Please enjoy my interview with Gank Pansuay.



How would you describe your style of art?

My art style is a combination of realism, expressionism, pop, and classicism. I don’t have a define preference since it depends on the mood of the painting. Contemporary portrait might be the word to describe it.



Your pieces showcase beautiful mysterious women who seem to know the secrets of the world. Their physique is drawn very realistically though it’s noticeable that there is a surrealistic connection between them and weather elements. There is a distortion coming across that reminds us of clouds, rain, or smoke. What is your interpretation behind it?

It’s combinations of women and natural visual elements. They are symbolic metaphors for people’s emotions that are affected by things like events and seasons. We all have our own mood where we feel things differently and naturally in our own ways.



You use a razor blade to strip some of the paint on the surface of your images to bring the colors underneath back out. How many layers of paint do your pieces generally have?

My pieces generally have three layers of paint. The first layer is base colors, which will be revealed once it’s stripped. The second layer’s the subject. And the third layer is the coat that will connect with the first layer.



How do you choose your subjects?

I choose my subjects based on the mood I want to convey. I look for expressions and poses that inspire me, then I alter the details to fit my imagination.



On what characteristics do you decide what colors to use? Is there a deeper connection between the specific colors and the women?

The colors reflect what’s above the women’s heads. For example, if there’s fire above her head, I’d use orange color to make the connection. I chose the spots where the colors and light would be reflected before I drew the women and I left them there on purpose, so the colors would represent the hidden emotions that cannot be concealed. I also used a razor blade to strip some of the paint on the surface to convey imperfections that we all have.





Tell us a bit about your childhood and upbringing?

I was born in a middle-class family and started drawing cartoons after I saw my brother’s paintings. I was in science-maths program during my secondary school years, which didn’t offer many art classes. But I dropped by the art classroom any chance I got and asked the teacher for extra training. Finally, I decided to get serious and enter art college and art University. My family’s not so supportive though, since they still believe artists difficult to find a job.



You not only specialize in drawing women but you also put a big emphasis on their hair. Tell us, what fascinates you about it so much?

The hair’s a metaphor. It’s eye-catching, yes, but at the same time it’s a natural visual element that reflects the feelings that haunt you.



Not only do your art pieces live on canvases but you have also created book and notebook covers. Any other materials you want to add to your art too in the future?

I want to paint the mural. There must be a connection between the piece and the location as well. For materials I’d like to use collage in my work I need to find something different more than paint.





How are artists viewed in your country? Is it considered important?

Many people in my country are becoming more open-minded about artists these days, but it still considered a distant matter for general public. It’s very important to drive the art industry. If an artist get more recognition, there will be more people making art. We will have more variety and good art. Art it’s not so out of reach.



What is next? What are your goals for the future?

I plan to exhibit and develop my new series. I want to see first where those will take me.