Kornkrit Jianpinijnun The Chiang Mai photographer has been simultaneously shooting for glossy magazines like Lips while exhibiting personal work in a rare balance between fashion photography and pure art. We speak to him as he prepares for his next show in February.

I never dreamed of being a photographer. Actually, when I was a kid, I never thought about my future career.

Usually, I don’t focus on technique as much as subject matter. Themes change, depending on what I’m interested at the moment. I think my photos grow with me as I
gain more experience.

In a way, surroundings affect my thinking. When I moved from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, I lived in a much smaller space, which made me start looking at things differently.

With magazines, you have to work with deadlines. But I can take as long as I want to complete personal exhibitions. I give time to my work, developing it from piece by piece, from one series to another. I live with it.

Lighting is my signature. I think my photos have original lighting.

I did video art for some Dude/Sweet parties. Art can be anywhere, so I just put art in a party instead of a gallery.

I also directed a music video for Apartmentkhunpa because I wanted to experiment working with moving images. I don’t really like video, though. I prefer a still image. I feel it can already tell millions of stories.

Rirkrit [Tiravanija] is one of my idols. I like his ideas and attitude.

Inspiration comes and goes. That’s why I don’t look for it in other artists’ works. You can’t always hold on to someone else for ideas and motivation.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It varies over time and its understanding remains pegged to the opinions and beliefs of each person.

There are photos I took that I thought sucked, but fi ve years later, I think they have become more beautiful.

The art and photo scene has been pretty quiet in the past few years. Though there were some events, they were known only to those within a small circle.

I wish that art could get more support from the press and the government.

Some people think that art is only for artists, and not ordinary Thais. However, art is in everyone’s life. I believe all of us have an arty side. It’s just about noticing and embracing it.

How to bring art into your life? Get to know yourself, use your fi ve senses and work on them. Are you ignoring some of your senses, letting one of your senses do all the work?
Knowing yourself is a stepping-stone to understanding and perceiving life more deeply.

More and more people want to be a photographer. Some are into the technical side, others simply want to capture their memorable moments. In my opinion, you have to
know your interests and be perceptive in order to be different and distinguish yourself
from the hordes of photographers out there.

Sure, you can make a living from taking photos. I do.

I think I’ve made a name for myself and am a pretty well known artist. All my life, I’ve done what I love and it’s great that people appreciate it.

Last year was confusing for me. I tried to gather my thoughts and concentrate on my work. But some unexpected things popped up and distracted me. Sometimes I felt that
my responsibilities were more than I could handle.

This year is going to be better. Now, I’m working on Project 204, which is a reunion of fellow artists who used to work together in 1999. There are 10 artists presenting 10 different media and the exhibition will be hosted at About Gallery on Feb 29.

If I wasn’t a photographer, I would start a restaurant. I am not a good cook, though. But I would make a good waiter.