Since 1949, the National Exhibition of Art, the first and most significant art competition in Thailand, has been at the forefront of Thailand’s art scene. The competition has played a significant role in the development of Thai modern art, which can be reflected in works selected and nominated for competition each year.
The development is multifaceted and fascinating, due largely to the teaching of Silpa Bhirasri, who combined Western art knowledge with Thainess. The result is Thai modern art which reflects the confluence of the two cultural hemispheres.
In the early days of the National Exhibition of Art, art works were largely influenced by its motherland. However, Western art had a massive impact on many early students of Silpa Bhirasi. Most works were impressionism paintings depicting natural landscapes, a form which was popular among Silpa Bhirasri's students, who practiced art both inside and outside the art institution.
Also, art in this period was not much engaged in politics. In this same period, artists also introduced new knowledge and techniques from Western art to the Thai society, which aided the rapid development of Thai modern art.
Thai Art and Thai Modernity
The initial development of Thai modern art was a result of the direct adoption of western art. Craftsmen and artists and the development of teaching techniques in line with Western art were later introduced and adopted.
In Thailand, art could not be compared with that as practiced in the West. The definition of Thai modern art is different from that of the Western counterpart.
Modernity in Thailand is a condition resulting from the adaptation, translation and adoption of Western knowledge by the Thai elite. It did not develop along the same line as the Western society. Thai modern art in the period was considered to be “modern” only because of its dependence on Western knowledge. Therefore, the essence of the Thai modern art and that of the West are entirely different.
Artworks published in 5 Decades of the National Exhibition of Art, published by the Art Centre Silpakorn University, 2001 :
Coconut Grove by Chalood Nimsamer
Dreamer's Avenue by Miseim Yipintsoi
At Home by Sawasdi Tantisuk
Nude by Chamras Khietkong
(Copyright Art Centre Silpakorn University 2001 - All rights reserved.)
Unless mentioned otherwise, these artworks are part of our Silpakorn Art Collections.
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