Art in Thailand is an immense topic for anyone to approach with any degree of sincerity, and I for one would not be presumptuous enough to be confident in my grasp of it. Yet, the topic is of central importance to my efforts here and elsewhere, so a journey through the vast forest of ideas that is Thai art, is still a worthwhile undertaking. To help me signpost the way I need to embrace four main areas of concern.
The first two categories provide a context and background, and hopefully a useful introduction, to the nature of Thai artistic endeavour. The second two categories will just be me stumbling through a series of ruminations about why it matters to me and how that might inform my own work.
- History of Art in Siam
- Thai Temple Art – Photo: Somyen
Until relatively recently, art in Siamese culture was focused around the complex temple system, though not exclusively bound to it. Since the concept of art practice for its own sake has come into its own, building on the already well established skills and methods of craft artisans, art in Thailand is entering a golden age. Next year (late 2018) will see the first ever Bangkok Biennale for contemporary artists.
2. Artists in a Siamese Tradition
Thai art is a much wider phenomenon than simply that engaged in by people of Thai origin. Many foreign artists, both within and without the kingdom, contribute to and are inspired by the ancient and modern art practice of the Thai people. Indeed, what is ‘Thai Art’ in a fluid, modern and global context? This question and questions of the relationship between artistic practice and wider society are important considerations for this elusive idea: ‘Thai Art’.
Then there is the concept of ‘Thai Style’! Was there ever a term so prevalent and apparent, and yet so defiant in refusing to be fastened down to a definition…?
The following are two examples from very different genres, both works by Thai artists located in Bangkok, and to me, both showing their ‘Thainess’ boldly!
Ise Ananphada: Illustrator – Vandavanda
- Vandavanda by Ise Ananphada
Termsit Siriphanich: Photographer – Chalita Suansane
- Chalita Suansane by Termsit Siriphanich
3. Somyen
Non-Thai icons in a Thai realm. Thai themes in non-Thai realms. Alien forms dancing intimately with familiar, comfortable motifs. The sacred in the mundane. Or, the everyday in the transcendent. Split personalities, vying to out-do each other in sensation and significance.
- Somyen: Dream’s Edge
Such are the preoccupations of one Thai girl, spread across cultures, tip-toeing her way to an amalgam of influences and embrace of passions.
Chaos and Calm.
Light and Shadows.
Capturing, Taming.
De-constructing…
4. Collections
What we create is really a presentation of our choices. By extension, our choices are creative. So it is that the art we like, the music we choose, and the questions we ask, are a snow storm of actions that create us. But when the choice itself is the creative goal, then we are collectors!
In this area though I will restrict myself to original works made by second life artists including discussion of exhibitions, as well as individual works themselves. This inevitably spills into a consideration of the efficacy of 2nd life (or any virtual realm) as a creative audience space.
- LANNA GALLERY – housing the Somyen Collection
Somyen 