THAILAND

Cao, Del Castillo, Sauler, Laguardia, Lizares, Vinuya

overview
- Land of the Free; Thai = free; formerly Siam
- Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia to
have never been colonized
- Constitutional Monarchy: Prime Minister serves as
head of a parliamentary government and a hereditary
king functions as head of state
- 95% of the population are Buddhist
pre-modern/traditional art
- Mainly religious artworks
- Public funds invested on temples because this was
the highest merit-making a Buddhist could perform
in his life
- Executed miniatures or model images of Buddha
reflecting the very essence of faith
- Conveyed: Behaviors of humans and their inner
nature (emotions such as love, greediness, anger,
and mercy); between the people and their enironment,
both in natural scenes and in man-made construction;
beliefs beyond reality especially the scenes showing
life in hell
- Primary pigments: scarlet lake, yellow ochre,
ultramarine blue, pipe-clay white, pot black
modernization in thailand
King Chulalongkorn (Rama V; r. 1868-1910)
- Known for his reforms and modernization of Thai
land; Introduced Western culture, politics, and tech
- Responsible for saving Thailand from colonization
through diplomatic relations with heads of states
- Brought in foreigners who were professionals in
different fields (nation-building)
Modern Life & Art
- Scientific and mechanical progress increased the
standard of living
- Remodeled and created new tastes because of
dramatic change in scenery (buildings, cars, clothing,
roads, etc.)
- Portraiture was intoduced; homes were decorated
- Art imports and foreigners working in Thailand
influenced style
- Construction of public/private buildings over temples
- Education included fundamental and universal
subjects; increased mental capacity of people
Silpa Bhirasri/Corrado Feroci
- Father of modern art in Thailand
- Italian farang invited by King Chulalongkorn
- Fine Arts Department; royal sculptor: Monument of
Democracy, Monument of Victory, etc.
- Founded Silpakorn University: School of Fine Arts
- Founded the National Art Exhibition (annual event)
western influence on thai art
Education Using Western Art Books
- Universality of concepts; Western art critics said to be
hypnotizing Thai students; Results in lack of
individual character
- Lack of financial support prevented publishing of
Eastern art books
Styles and Techniques
- A variety of styles have been formed, suggesting a
struggle for individual character
modern art in thailand
- Artists are mostly graduates of Silpakorn University
and have continued further studies abroad
- Examples: Fua Haripitak, Tawee Nandakwang,
Sawasdi Tantisuk, Jitr Buabusaya
- Styles range from Realism to Impressionism (use
of color and form), to geometric cubism and abstract,
and even a little of Surrealism. Artists learned to
incorporate their own flair to existing Western styles
through palette, brush strokes, subject matter, etc.
contemporary art scene
Overview
- Combines both traditional and modern techniques
- centered in Bangkok
- Proliferation of several museums and galleries
including: Museum of Contemporary Arts in
Bangkok (MOCA), Silpa Bhirasri National Museum,
Sombat Permpoon Gallery, etc.
Art in the 90s-Present Time
- Military coups, protest rallies; constant social unrest
- Art is reflective of political and social changes
- Focus on big issues; gender, identity, capitalism, etc.
- Rise of installation art, performance art, film,
photography, etc. --> new media
- Globalization; art was limited locally because of
censorship but many works were big hits aborad
because of their provocative and edgy themes
- The Office of Contemporary Art and Culture was
established. It was in charge of sponsorships, work
shops, and festivals, etc. that would help promote
Thai art locally and abroad
- Bronze, stucco, wood, ivory,
stone, crystal
- Bronze, wood, terra cotta
past modern
- For religious purposes,
standard images of Buddha
- Simplified, delicate outlines
of the human body
- Tempera, fresco, koi paper - Oil, water color, fresco
- For religious purposes
only; No vanishing point;
No shadows; flat colors;
Generalized landscapes
- Scenes from everyday
life; Realistic; Surrealist
(present but uncommon);
Impressionist; Portraits
sculpture
painting
FUA HARIPITAK
composition, 1956, oil
TAWEE NANDAKWANG
suwannee, 1956, oil
JITR BUABUSAYA
fuji vines arbor, 1946, oil
SAWASDI TANTISUK
koh samuy village, 1999,
watercolor
JIRAPAT TATSANASOMBOON
composition, 1999, acrylic
CHATCHAWAN AMSOMKID
the aquarium, 2014, fiberglass
KHIEN YIMSIRI
harmony, 1959, bronze
CHALERMCHAI KOSITPIPAT
blessing of lord buddha, 2006
acrylic
PICHAI NIRAND
the end, 1960, oil
SAWASDI TANTISUK
wat suhat, 1960, oil
EXAMPLES OF MODERN AND
CONTEMPORARY ART IN
THAILAND