Hiya! My name is OiKLอNG, a Japanese artist based in Bangkok, Thailand since 2011. I began my artistic journey in 2020, inspired by the vibrant diversity and energy of this city.
At the heart of my practice is “Muping,” a baby orangutan whose sleepy eyes reflect the innocence and curiosity we all once had. Orangutans, while close to humans, embody a wild purity, gentleness, and an unfiltered sense of wonder.
As an endangered species, they also symbolize the urgent need for coexistence and respect for all forms of life.
Muping’s sleepy eyes are inspired by those of a newborn baby—eyes that have just opened to the world, unable to see clearly, free from preconceptions and bias. This moment of awakening, of searching for light and hope in a blurry world, is the essence of Muping. Their upright posture expresses purity and a readiness to embrace the unknown.
Through Muping, I wish to celebrate the beauty of seeing the world with a pure, unclouded gaze—even as adults living in an age of information overload and constant conflict.
As I have grown older, I have found myself reading between the lines, speculating about hidden meanings, and becoming weary from the weight of unspoken expectations. This has made me long even more for the childlike sense of wonder and openness that Muping represents.
My hope is that Muping will inspire you to rediscover your own pure gaze and sense of wonder in this complex world. Each work is an invitation to pause, breathe, and remember the quiet joy of encountering the world anew.
"A boundless, level plain of the heart, where there are no borders, no barriers, and no hierarchy of values"
