You are reading

Exhibition at LIC’s Material for the Arts delves into objects and their human connections

"some part of me lived here before” by Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya on view at Materials for the Arts.Photo courtesy of Erin Baiano.

“Some Part of Me Lived Here Before” by Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya is on view at Materials for the Arts.
Photo courtesy of Erin Baiano.

Dec. 19, 2024 By Shane O’Brien

An exhibition by celebrated artist Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya exploring objects and their connection to human existence will remain on display at Material for the Arts in Long Island City until next month.

Phingbodhipakkiya’s new solo exhibition, “Some Part of Me Lived Here,” opened on Oct. 17 at Material for the Arts Gallery, an exhibition space run by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs at 33-00 Northern Blvd. It will remain on display until Jan. 10.

Phingbodhipakkiya, a Material for the Arts artist-in-residence, makes use of suspended sculptures and collections of everyday items to explore the lifespan of objects and their intrinsic connections to human existence in her new solo exhibition.

The exhibition features materials gathered from various sources, including discarded items from the Material for the Arts (MFTA) warehouse and distinct materials from Phingbodhipakkiya’s ancestral Thailand, such as metal bottle caps, empty oil tins, and discarded fish traps.

Phingbodhipakkiya, who created the citywide “I Still Believe in Our City” campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which was featured on the cover of TIME Magazine, launched the new exhibition shortly after traveling to her father’s hometown in Thailand.

She began her residency at MFTA while ruminating on a single Thai word: “puuk pan,” which means “bind or entwine.”

The exhibition explores that word both figuratively and literally, weaving together time and its narratives, heritage, and materials to explore the history of the sculptures as they’re suspended in time at MFTA’s gallery.

Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya in the MFTA artist studio. Photo courtesy of Victoria Romulo

Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya in the MFTA artist studio. Photo courtesy of Victoria Romulo

Phingbodhipakkiya said the exhibition centers on finding the “sublime in the mundane” and uplifting often overlooked objects, people, and places.

“I’m intent on cultivating a space where we can consider the threads of kinship that bind us to our people as we piece together fragmented histories and echoes of places and memories buried deep in the web of our souls,” Phingbodhipakkiya said in a statement.

MFTA Executive Director Tara Sansone first encountered Phingbodipakkiya’s work in 2021 when she was Public Artist in Residence with the New York City Commission on Human Rights, and she has keenly followed it ever since.

“What I find so compelling about Amanda’s art is the dynamic nature of her practice,” Sansone said.

“Whether it’s art campaigns pictured across Times Square, gargantuan textiles draped across several floors, or public art installations that turn spectators into participants, Amanda’s art transcends boundaries and, in turn, touches everyone who bears witness to it.”

NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo said the exhibition’s use of personal relics and shared histories invites people to reflect on their own journeys and the items that bind them to their own communities.

“Her work compels us to look inward, encouraging a deeper understanding of ourselves as we navigate the complexities of identity and connection. It is a powerful reminder of the beauty inherent in our collective experiences and the narratives that shape our lives,” Cumbo said.

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Advocates urge passage of New York for All Act as Assembly session nears end

Jun. 16, 2025 By Jimmy Robles

As the State Senate concluded its legislative session on Thursday, immigrant rights advocates renewed calls for lawmakers to pass the New York for All Act before the Assembly adjourns on Tuesday, June 17. The proposed legislation, along with several other immigration-related bills, remains pending as the clock winds down on this year’s session.

Queens gun buyback takes 74 firearms off streets, including ghost guns and assault weapons: DA

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Monday that 74 firearms were taken off the streets at the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York in Jamaica during a gun buyback event on Saturday, June 14. The weapons were exchanged for bank cards pre-loaded with cash, with no identification required and no questions asked.

“Gun buybacks serve as a critical tool for reducing gun violence and promoting public safety within our communities,” Katz said. “This Saturday, working with the NYPD and clergy leaders in Jamaica, we received 74 surrendered guns — including five automatic weapons. As a result, these firearms will not be used to cause heartache and tragedy.”

Queens Distance Runners hosts second annual track meet at St. John’s University, spotlighting Olympian and local talent

Jun. 16, 2025 By Paulina Albarracin

Dozens of runners gathered at the DaSilva Field Track in St. John’s University for the second annual track meet last month. Hosted by Queens Distance Runners (QDR), a grassroots running organization, the sporting competition welcomed sprinters and distance runners of all skill levels to test their abilities, vying for the podium in track events from 100 meters to 5,000 meters.