Many local artists from around Phuket were in attendance at the November 17 opening, as well as Anchalee Vanich Theppabutra, Phuket MP for the Democrat Party.
The exhibition contains 23 works. The oldest one in the exhibition was painted in 1998, with the newest one completed earlier this year.
Aree is a Phuket native, graduating from Prince of Songkhla University in Pattani in the School of Visual Arts. Following the end of his studies, Aree travelled around the kingdom for several years.
During this time, and after his return to Phuket, he used to paint “reproductions” of famous artworks by artists from all around the world, before finally finding his ‘way’ with Buddhist art.
“My concept is [the Buddhist doctrine of Dharma and nature]. If we work while practicing the doctrines of Dharma as Buddhadasa Bhikkhu said, we will be happy, whatever kind of job it is.
“The Buddha's doctrine is all about nature,” Aree explained, “It is all about the simple truth of life. Dharma is in everything and everywhere, just like nature.
“The difference from other Buddhist artworks is not the story I tend to tell but the technique I use to explain it,” he said.
Apart from oil paintings, Aree also does Buddhist art sculptures, with his first piece – Buddha’s face with a fish hook in it – explaining that Buddhism and nature can stay together.
Gallery 111, 111 Phang Nga Rd. 081 326 2084. Open daily 9am-7pm.