YOD Gallery is pleased to announce the first exhibition by Thai Photographer Visarute Angkatavanich, “Betta”.

Visarute Angkatavanich graduated from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand in 1993, with a BA in Communication Arts majoring in advertising. After 20 years of involvement in the commercial field, Angkatavanich has started “fish project” inspired by his own childhood memory of a pet fish. Through this ongoing project, he has photographed many and various species of fish. 

Angkatavanich gets incredibly close up to capture stunning portraits of living things. His subjects are set against either a stark black or white background as they appear to confront the viewer. He uses perfectly placed lighting to create the dramatic highlights and shadow. His portraits capture these fish in motion, accentuating their flowing large and vibrant fins, and brilliant colors that give personality to each fish. There are meticulous process of preparation and the drama to get a good movement that require advanced techniques of photography. To begin, he choose a fish, examining their tails and colors and other features such as the markings on them. The next step is to set up the lightning. The pictures were taken to create the image that impress the viewer by using a range of lighting techniques. He changes the focus constantly with the movement of fish. 
The photos taken with these advanced techniques have a resemblance to the portraits of Dutch paintings in 17th century. Although, Angkatavanich explains that he “just capture the fish as they are”. In what is captured in fully prepared condition, there may be seen what the artist sees “as they are,” as well as his inner self. 

The “Betta” series shown in this exhibition has earned Angkatavanich his international recognition and brought him a chance to be one of the world class photographers. Betta fish are native to Thailand and Cambodia. In Thailand, they have historically been the objects of gambling as two male fish are pitted against each other. They also have a long history and culture as a pet fish. Angkatavanich’s “Betta” has been introduced to the world on the package and wallpapers of the iPhone6, upon its debut in 2015. Also they were featured in the well-known websites and international publications from ABC news in USA and Yahoo News, in the recent years, UK’s Daily Mail and The Guardian as well as several international publications such as Italy’s Vanity Fair, and the cover of Thai Airways’ inflight magazine etc. 
Blue, Red and Gold, colorful and unique features of betta fish look like a dancer in a flowing dress or a knight with a frag of commence of battle, as if they are projecting viewer’s physiological inner self. 
Please take this opportunity to view the work of Visarute Angkatavanich in person at YOD Gallery.