EMERGE2023 | Hop Hub Of Photograp

EMERGE 2023

Photo Thesis Exhibition (Open Call Submission)

16 September - 5 November 2023

"EMERGE: Photo Thesis Exhibition 2023" is a resplendent symphony that harmonizes student photography from the academic years of 2022 and 2023. Within this mesmerizing space, immerse yourself in an intimate narrative woven by 30 distinct theses. HOP's ethos embodies equal ground, inviting each graduate to independently sculpt and curate their creations. Through each photo frame, a window opens onto a unparalleled realm of perspective, birthing a diverse panorama shaped by the artist's passions and life journey.

A juncture heralding the ascension of a fresh lineage of photographic visionaries, the "EMERGE: Photo Thesis Exhibition" stands as a platform for graduates to traverse the threshold into the vocation of image crafting. Here, their lenses become the vessels for storytelling, an invitation extended to souls, artisans, and lens whisperers alike, emboldening them to embark on journeys of exploration.

Within this congregation of 30 artists, a tapestry of imagination and creation awaits, poised to mold the very contours of the photographic sphere. While this exhibition marks the initial footfall in their expedition towards professional image-making, it also unfurls as a staircase ushering them towards myriad doors and passages yearning for discovery. As the curtains ascend, a bounty of opportunities dances forth, awaiting the grasp of eager hands. With heartfelt intent, "EMERGE: Photo Thesis Exhibition" is a beacon of guidance, lighting the way for individual artisans to chart their desired trajectory within the domain of artistry, nurturing their latent potential as they unfurl their destinies.

About Our Committees

Ark Fongsamut

A lecturer at the Faculty of Architecture, Art and Design at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, as well as a guest lecturer at numerous universities and art institutions. He is an art scholar behind many international projects and, in 2018, received the Silpathorn Award from the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, Ministry of Culture.

Ark began his curatorial career in 2000 at the Bangkok University Gallery (BUG), where he organized several important and influential exhibitions. During this period, he also initiated the BRANDNEW Art Project and the Artist/Curator Residency Programme. In addition, he has been involved in the management and curation of the internationally renowned Arles International Photo Festival.

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Lek Kiatsirikajorn

A contemporary photographer whose works have been exhibited internationally in countries including the UK, France, the USA, Russia, the Netherlands, China, Singapore, and Hong Kong. In 2023, he also presented the solo exhibition at HOP: UNDER THE BURNING SUN THE GRASS IS GREENER THAN EVER in 2023

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Akkara Naktamna (B.1979 in Bangkok, Thailand)

Founder of CTyeMag in 2016, and later established CTyeMag Gallery in Bangkok in 2021, with the aim of supporting contemporary photographic art from around the world, particularly emerging and lesser-known artists.

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Kevin Wy Lee (B.1973, Fiji)

A photographer and creative director based in Singapore, Kevin WY Lee has worked in the creative industry in Asia and Australia for over 20 years. In 2010, he founded Invisible Photographer Asia (IPA), an influential platform for photography and visual arts in Asia. Through IPA, Kevin WY Lee participates vigorously in photography and art across the region as a practitioner, curator and educator.

Kevin WY Lee has served as curator and jury for various festivals and programs, including the Angkor Photo Festival (Cambodia), WMA Masters Award (Hong Kong), Singapore International Photography Festival, Odessa/Batumi Photo Days Festival (Ukraine), Prix Pictet Award, and PhotoQuai Biennale (France). He is also an adjunct lecturer at Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore.