You were born in Bangkok. When did you move to London? 

In 1997

How has the move influenced your art?

The move has influenced my entire life, as I have had to adjust and adapt to a completely new culture and environment, which in turn has fed into my ideas and my art.

You have commented that your art is influenced by childhood memories. Tell us something of your childhood.

As an adult I have had to learn and memorise many new things, just as I did when I was a child, and so to some extent I have been reliving my childhood everyday through these processes.

"Art has influenced my entire life"

How did you become an artist?

I was working as a creative for a Bangkok advertising agency in the mid '90s and decided that I wanted to focus on my own practice, so I enrolled on a BA printmaking course at Camberwell College in London.

What is your advice to new artists?

Just enjoy your work.

We heard that you became a successful artist so young that your mum once asked you if you were a drug dealer. What does it mean to be successful in the art world?

At that time, I was studying for my Post Graduate Diploma at Camberwell College and was already working with APART who were selling so much of my work that I had to sneak it out of my college studio at night, so that my tutors wouldn't find out that I was already working with a gallery. My mother was naturally concerned about my financial situation and simply refused to believe that I was studying and selling so much 'art' that I was able to pay for my college fees, as well as my accommodation and living expenses. I'm not sure she believes me even now.

To be honest I am not sure what 'successful in the art world' really means…for me I suppose it simply means that one's work has influence, is respected a little and that the whole process is allowed to continue.

How would you describe your work?

A process of learning and of aspired progression.

"To be honest I am not sure what

'successful in the art world' really means..."

What comments does your work make about Western culture?

That there are nuanced differences in how it is presented and interpreted in each part of the world. I grew up surrounded by Western culture in Thailand, and am now living in one of the epicentres of Western culture here in London…I hope my work provides a little insight into how Western culture is perceived elsewhere in the world.

Where do you find inspiration?

I just tend to focus and concentrate on each project, and almost by a process of osmosis the inspiration slowly begins to penetrate my thoughts.

If you could pick any wall in the world to hang your art, where would you choose?

I would be very happy to choose, but I would much prefer to be asked.

Do any pieces have particular personal significance?

All my pieces are a little like children to me, they may have a similar theme running through them, but they each have their own characteristics.

Your work is in the collections of Sir Paul Smith, Minnie Driver and Richard Curtis. Who would you most like to own your work?

Whenever anyone buys a piece of my work, I always feel a great sense of support and so I tend to view all the collectors of my work equally, though if someone I particularly admire buys one of my pieces, it is a very special feeling.

Your work is sometimes described as ‘Neo-Pop’. What does this label mean to you? What role does genre play in your work?

I have always been very influenced by Pop Art and Pop Culture and so I suppose as I move my own ideas forward in this arena, it is only natural that my work would be classified as a form of 'Neo-Pop'. I tend not to concern myself with labels and genres, preferring instead to simply focus on producing the best work I can.

"All my pieces are a little like children to me"

Your work has a modernity to it. What do you think defines our generation?

Diversity and more diversity, with different cultures now blending together.

If your studio was on fire and you could only save one piece, which would it be?

I'd try and save myself

What is your studio like?

It is the living room of my apartment. I have been painting in it for over 13 years and am unable to leave it; it has become an integral part of my working process.

What is your work process?

I rarely, if ever, do sketches. I tend to look around me for ideas and inspiration, then when I find something to consider, I smoke a cigarette, mull it over in my head, then when I think I've figured it out, I start on the work directly.

Your work seems to be based on observation. Do you ever shut your artistic eye? How do you switch off from thinking about work?

Over the years my artistic eye has been forced into the basement of my subconscious, where I think it communicates surreptitiously with the collective consciousness of those around me. I never actively seek to observe anything, I just do, and so to that extent I don't ever have to close that eye, it's become a bit like my own private CCTV.

"My advice to new artists would be

'Just enjoy your work'"

Can you tip us off about the best emerging galleries?

I think it's always about the chemistry between a gallery and the work on show, and this changes from show to show.

What is the worst mistake you have ever made as an artist?

I've only ever made one mistake that resonates with me constantly: I forgot that I would mostly be working alone.

What is the best lesson you’ve learned as an artist?

That very often a mistake and a discovery are one and the same.

Are there any new themes you have been thinking about exploring lately?

Yes...

 "I rarely, if ever, do sketches. I tend to

look around me for ideas and inspiration"

What are your plans for the future?

I am really enjoying this current series and hope that the works themselves will provide me with the direction, and inspiration I need to develop the series further.

You include idols like John Lennon, Che Guevera and Marylin Monroe in your previous series. How did they find their way into your work?

When I was a kid, I saw their faces everywhere, but didn't actually know who they were, or why they were famous. When I grew up and understood a little more, I began to ruminate over the relationship between recognition and realisation, this is something I really like to explore in my work.

Who are your IDOLs?

Ali