Reviews for Ta Byrne

An Artfinder user, Peru

Review posted 24 Jan 2017

Everything went fine and the painting is awesome.

PCM, United Kingdom

Review posted 4 Dec 2016

I don't want to talk about it' presents a relatively large 60 × 80 cms oil on canvas. The subject is a female nude in a sitting posture, facing right as we view the work. Her arms are drawn up defensively on both sides of her face - of which we can only see the forehead - and rest on her knees. Her hands clutch the back of her head, pressing down her hair. The right foot is not visible; the left foot appears to be tucked under the right leg. The composition is taut and self-contained, and the black outline around and through the figure lends the work a sense of brooding isolation. The same black outline echoes Picasso's 'Blue Nude' (1920) - with which 'I don't want to talk about it' has a particular resonance; both paintings show a nude female in a state of withdrawal; knees drawn up, face obscured; both figures dominate the canvas; both paintings evoke a sense of empathy; a personal understanding of what the subject may be experiencing. The influence of Picasso can also be seen in the Cubist/Primitivist style and execution of the work, which recalls his 'Dryad' and 'The Woman with the Fan' (both 1908). Reinforcing the Primitivist influences in ‘I don’t want to talk about it’, we again reference the dark outline of the work, which technique was very much in evidence in the creative genius of the Palaeolithic cave dwellers of Lascaux, France and Altamira, Spain, between ten and twenty thousand years ago, and which primitive art also inspired other 19th Century artists such as Gauguin, Matisse, Derain, Rousseau and Larionov. There is some daring involved in the Expressionistic manner in which the artist has, metaphorically, thrown away the rule book with the colour composition. Whilst the subject is perfectly recognizable as a voluptuous woman, so-called 'normal' flesh tones have been replaced with the most delicate and varied pastel-like colours, which colours, in turn, have been carefully balanced by the judicious application of stronger blue and brown tones on the legs, feet, spine and upper back. By accentuating the buttocks of the subject, the artist has lent power to the work in both a visual and textural context; the subliminal message being: this is a woman of substance. Both the physical and emotional impact of the work is enhanced by the artist's use of a block of bright, blood-red on the lower right-hand side of the work, which, whilst not appearing to represent any particular part of the figure's anatomy, seems to be wrapped like a winding-cloth around the lower sections of the legs and feet. Doubtless, this anguished red represents the emotional heart of the work; the unrest the artist has so poignantly portrayed; and which unrest the figure is trying to deal with; perhaps to reconcile herself to. She does this by temporarily withdrawing from us, needing some time for thought, for silence, for healing, perhaps for forgiveness. As onlookers however, we can only speculate. Because we recognize ourselves in her, and in her all-too-human situation, we ask if we can we help; we offer counsel; we offer advice. But she replies with only silence. For now, at least, she doesn't want to talk about it.

PCM, United Kingdom

Review posted 13 Nov 2016

'Unforgettable' is my third purchase from the Thai artist, Ta Thimkaeo, one of Thailand’s finest exponents in the field of fine arts. Ta's art explores many styles, from Modernism through Impressionism, Expressionism and Cubism to the more traditional and homespun themes that reflect her immense pride in her native Thailand. Ta’s work is rapidly attracting a growing international audience, and with her more recent works – particularly her female nudes – it is clear that this multi-talented artist is in a league of her own, and is helping to put Thailand on the world map in terms of fine arts. ‘Unforgettable’ presents us with a voluptuous female nude in languorous repose; her back is towards the viewer, her right arm cradles her head, and her left arm extends across her stomach. The work is beautifully balanced and composed, with the figure placed diagonally across the canvas; top right to bottom left. She is then carefully positioned along an L-shape on the right side of the canvas, looking languidly into the blue/white rectangle that dominates the left side of the canvas - which itself is perfectly counterbalanced by a creamy triangle/rectangle immediately behind her. The brownish shadows beneath her body at the foot of the painting provide a perfect counterpoint to similar brownish hues framing her head. The complex colours that make up the subjects flesh and musculature are slightly subdued, (compared to some of the artist’s other colour work), but because they are concentrated in the woman's voluptuous figure, they are very powerful indeed. The artist has ingeniously placed a splash of blue on the woman’s elbow - which is also the centre of the canvas – and so the blue draws the eye almost unconsciously. ‘Unforgettable’ reminds me of 'Benefits Supervisor Sleeping' (1995), by Lucien Freud - but I like Ta Thimkaeo's colours more. The tone of ‘Unforgettable’ is beautifully considered, profoundly sympathetic, and deeply respectful and admiring of the female form - which this artist has clearly developed a talent for portraying in all its humble yet life-affirming glory.

PCM, United Kingdom

Review posted 13 Nov 2016

Having bought ‘Lady In Green’ just a few weeks ago, I know just how wonderful Ta Thimkaeo's paintings are, so when I saw ‘Lady In Blue’ I knew I just had to have her in my collection as a companion piece to ‘Lady In Green’. With ‘Lady In Blue’, Thai artist Ta Thimkaeo has shown just how rapidly her emerging talent is developing. The canvas is a reasonably large one - 60 × 75 cms - and the subject is a stunning young woman, kneeling right-side-on to the viewer and facing towards the sun. Her long, wheat-golden hair is pulled around the right side of her head so we cannot see her face - which remains of indeterminate origin. This in turn, creates an atmosphere of wonder and intrigue, and, viewed over time, one can detect a sense of the sacred. The most striking aspect of the work however, is the subject's flawless, porcelain-blue skin. The artist herself admits the influence of the Dutch master, Van Gogh, in her work, and art aficionados will perhaps see, in the subject’s colouration, echoes of the vase in Vincent’s ‘Flowers in a Blue Vase’. There, however, the nod towards Van Gogh ends, and the artist clearly imposes her own colouration, composition, vision - and undoubtedly, her own emotions, in the work. Whilst the ‘Lady In Blue’ is portrayed naked and voluptuous, the artist’s treatment of her subject is anything but voyeuristic. In fact, the tone of the work is so beautifully considered, so profoundly sympathetic, and so deeply respectful and admiring of the female form, that in the presence of such a seminal work one gets the feeling that rather than a beautifully executed nude, we are presented with a primordial Earth goddess; one who was old before Time, and who has been presented by the artist to the world, wholly formed, as she was on the first day of Creation. This idea gathers pace when we notice the lush, elemental colours in the foreground, in the middle-distance and on the far horizon. The copper, yellow, gold and brown tones found in these areas are mirrored in the subject’s hair; and this interplay of composition and hues reinforces the essential idea the artist wanted to portray; that this woman is not simply on the Earth, but of the Earth itself. Whilst ‘Lady In Blue’ pulses with life and fecundity, we cannot fail to notice she is alone in her world. And then we look more closely; and we notice; and we wonder; why has she turned away from us? Why will she not let us see her face? Is it because she weeps for us? For the world? And will we ever really understand her … this first woman; our ‘Earth Mother’; our ‘Lady of the Mysteries’; our ‘Lady In Blue’?

PCM, United Kingdom

Review posted 17 Oct 2016

To date I have bought one painting from Ta Thimkaeo who is based in Thailand. The painting was called 'Lady In Green'. There was a wonderful sense of the artist in the work; in the form; in the colours; in the brushstrokes. I could feel the challenge of the work, then the love, then the joy, the care, the attention, the thought and the intelligence she put into it. I am very happy with the work, and a proud owner. The painting was professionally packed in a hard plastic tube, and traveled nearly 6,000 miles - from Thailand to the UK - without a scratch. Ta also provided a Certificate of Authenticity, and it was clear from seeing the painting up close that she uses professional oils and canvas. Ta kept me advised of the progress in transit of the painting - for which she also provided a Post Office tracking number. The entire process - from the time I selected and paid for the painting on Artfinder until the time it arrived at my home - was a trouble-free and straightforward experience. Ta's art explores many styles, from Modernism through Impressionism and Expressionism to more traditional themes that reflect her pride in her native Thailand. I am now an avid 'follower' and Lady In Green will not be my last purchase from this very talented and very efficient and organised artist. P.C. Meehan, UK

Isla Bilsland, United Kingdom

Review posted 30 Jul 2016

Fantastic pice of art!!!! Love it!!! What is this Vietmanese lady thinking about??? Ta was charming and SO nice to deal with. Lovely person. The whole process went like a dream. I'll be watching Ta from now on. VERY talented artist.

Donna Ryan, United States

Review posted 2 Jun 2016

Aside from absolutely loving the piece that I purchased from Ta, I must mention how incredible she was in terms of instant communication and ongoing shipping updates. She went way above and beyond expectations to package it and get it on its way even though she was out of town when I first bought the piece. Then she continued to keep on top of DHL to get it out and expedited to me in the USA. As far as the artwork goes, it looks so much better in person - vibrant colors and detail not seen on a computer screen. It also is even more appealing because the painting reflects her own personal experience working in rice fields when she was growing up. What a treasure this is, and will bring much enjoyment and appreciation in our home. Thank you, Ta, for your superior service and wonderful talent.

karl byrne, United Kingdom

Review posted 29 Mar 2016

I have admired much of your work on various sites snd decided to take the plunge and make a purchase; my choice arrived fantastically packaged and very promptly. The colours,sizes and quality are amazing!! I can't wait to get it hung on my wall. Overall - more than impressed with absolutely all aspects of the service provided by such a talented artist!

PAUL DOCHERTY, United Kingdom

Review posted 23 Mar 2016

I am very happy with the work of art that I purchased from Suthamma Thimkaeo. The oil painting has now been framed, and hung on my bedroom wall.