Exhibitions

‘Wonderscape’ From the collection of Surapon Bunyapamai − Subhashok The Arts Centre

Subhashok The Arts Centre

Aug 08 - Sep 27, 2020

^{All images by Courtesy of Subhashok The Arts Centre}

Wonderscape is an exhibition of five great Thai masters: Chalood Nimsamer, Sawasdi Tantisuk, Montien Boonma, Angkarn Kalayanapong and Hem Vejakorn. These influential pieces that are selected from Surapon Bunyapamai’s collection are works on paper that includes paintings and drawings which will be exhibited at Subhashok The Arts Centre.

Furthermore, the use of these exquisite works in Wonderscape highlights their location within Thai art history. And although these works are grounded within their methodologies, it is important to note that they pioneered a movement and ways of thinking that soon became the foundation for the Thai contemporary art structure. Even though, the old masters have passed away, their creations still remain legendary and are used to inspire and educate the later generation. The works paved the way for the development of composition, new ideas and techniques which became the turning point of the artistic practice during the period of time where the Thai modern period transitioned to the Thai contemporary period.

Sawasdi Tantisuk

Sawasdi Tantisuk is known for his iconic watercolor-painting technique that depicts the subject matter of architecture and landscape. The meticulous but swiftly drawn lines are juxtaposed with the depiction of air. The technique used to depict form has instigated and inspired new ways of depicting form in abstract painting. Furthermore, Sawasdi was also nominated for the Thai National Artist award and worked rigorously and continuously as an artist until the end.

Chalood Nimsamer

Chalood Nimsamer contributed to redefining the Thai art education system especially in composition studies, printmaking and installation art. His works notably use rough and full-bodied
strokes in his line drawings especially in his work about his daughter. These strokes are simple in the ways that they depict form in a modest but robust manner and also demonstrate Chalood’s extensive knowledge of art. And with every single point, every brush stroke and every line the work is carefully constructed whilst still radiating this feeling and atmosphere of the Thai culture that spans from the bottom of the frame to the very top.

Montien Boonma

Montien Boonma was known for his development of mixed media creations in the Thai art world. His works defined Thai art differently than the way it was understood in the past. And with the majority of his practice mixing materials that are considered to be meager, such as soil, candles, rice sacks and rice straws, Montien invented a new way of communicating through art. This is because the materials used are meant to represent the life span of the Thai farmers that are being measured and calculated based on globalization.

Hem Vejakorn

Furthermore, the completion of the marvelous landscapes would be impossible without Hem Vejakorn’s illustrations that fulfilled this part in art history. Hem utilizes these unusual techniques such as perspective and anatomical comprehension with light and shadow studies. Hem had learned from Carlo Rigoli – an infamous Italian painter who was commissioned to design and decorate The Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall during the reign of King Rama VI. Hem’s fine creations were especially powerful and prevalent during the transitional period between art education and the western art influences from the Italian artist. The artist combined both Thai traditional and western drawing styles together which became the starting point for the creation of illustrations for local stories, folklores and religious tales from the past and up until now.

Angkarn Kalayanapong

Angkarn Kalayanapong has been known for his devotion in Thai literature and Thai arts. The two creative realms were shattered by the arrival of Angkarn, he was incredibly talented and well- versed in traditional Thai art conservation practices. Furthermore, he was very articulate in using tempera and charcoal in his painting. And even though, Fua Haripitak had an extraordinarily strong artistic influence upon Angkarn practices, he was able to extract and develop the extremely fluid and free Thai traditional pattern which became the very first pattern in Thai contemporary art.

Wonderscape is derived from the wondrous scape where skills are combined with the heroic contributions and experiences of the five masterminds through the facilitations from the collection
of Surapon Bunyapamai. It is an incredible honor to be able to have the opportunity to live during this contemporary period and be able to witness the works that is enriched with experiences and inspires creativity from such phenomenal practices that were once the starting point of where we are now.

— Chol Janepraphaphan