True Thai talent

Young Thai artist Silapachai Chuchan will go up against his peers from Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore when he represents Thailand in a regional painting contest later this year.
Silapachai, an alumnus of Pathum Thani Rajabhat University, won an award from the Office of Education Council when he was in his third year. Three years later, he won the top prize at the national contest hosted by United Overseas Bank (Thai).
In his work “The White Lines”, Silapachai uses light and lines to illustrate hope in a fishing village isolated by progress.
Among the judges was Professor Vichoke Mukdamanee, a National Artist and a lecturer at Silpakorn University’s Faculty of Painting, Sculpture and Graphic Arts. He says the winning piece tells the story of the social changes in Thailand caused by modernisation. All the judges were impressed by his ability to illustrate the fishermen’s perennial struggle to earn a living through the use of vigorous brushstrokes that effectively convey emotions.
The competition is in its fifth year and is part of the bank’s ongoing efforts to raise the awareness and appreciation of Southeast Asian artists. It is part of the larger UOB Painting of the Year competition, now in its 33rd year, which is being hosted in the four countries. Regionally, the prize pool is worth US$200,000.
“Over the last five years, many emerging and established artists have been promoted and recognised through the UOB Painting of the Year competition. Their creativity and passion are the reasons for our continued support of the arts in Thailand,” says Peter Foo, president and chief executive of UOB (Thai).
Silapachai receives $25,000 (Bt750,000) for winning the top honour in the competition. At the next level, he will compete with the other three UOB Painting of the Year winners in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore for the regional prize – the Southeast Asian UOB Painting of the Year Award. He stands a chance to win a one-month residency programme at the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum in Japan.
Other judges in Thailand included Professor Preecha Thaothong, National Artist and a lecturer with the Painting Department of Silpakorn University; and Amarit Chusuwan, dean of the Painting Department of Silpakorn University.
The regional competition aims to promote both established and emerging artists.
This year, Thailand’s Jirasak Anoujohn was the local winner of the 2014 UOB Most Promising Artist of the Year for his piece titled “Unaware”. His piece tells the story of an elderly person who chooses to see only the good things in life.
“The passion shown by these artists and their ability to create works that can both enrich the minds and inspire the community are the main reasons that we continue to invest in the promotion of arts across Southeast Asia,” says Wee Ee Cheong, deputy chairman and chief executive officer of the Singapore-based bank.
Silapachai will have his painting displayed at the UOB Art Gallery at the Bank’s regional headquarters at Raffles Place, Singapore. The 108-square metre gallery was set up initially to display art pieces from the Bank’s 1,500-strong art collection. Following its upgrade, a space in the UOB Art Gallery is now reserved for artworks produced by past winners of the UOB Painting of the Year competition.