European decorative arts were obsessed with Orientalism, appropriated decorative techniques of Asian and the Middle East. Srivilasa reverses the eye for exotic other.  Taking inspiration from 18th century, European ceramics, Srivilasa makes porcelain figurines.

“Europeans looked to the East and were amazed by monkey orchestras, pagodas and parasols while looks to the West and sees paintings of St Sebastian, the Birth of Venus and Meissen porcelain figurines. These artwork traditions are not part of my culture but are so artistically inspirational.”  Vipoo Srivilasa

In How to Make a Million, a series of porcelain figurines that describe a money making ruse of the artist’s creation, Srivilasa assumes the role of an aspirational entrepreneur. Firstly, his goal is ‘make a lot of money’! To do this he has structured a twelve-step program to success. Each step is inspired by a famous work of art. Part of the fun of this work is in deciphering the clues that Srivilasa inscribes in miniature on the figures. This astonishing detail requires the curious viewer to linger and look closer. Is this a strategy calculated for a time of rapid consumerism?

“Candid about his desire to succeed, Srivilasa has ‘written’ an instruction manual on success, in the highly original form of porcelain allegories. He cunningly constructs an exhibition about contemporary desires through the skill of his unusually delicate craftsmanship.” - Stephen Benwell