Looking back with love
A new exhibition at River City marries the photographs of John Thomson with the antiques shown in several of the images
The physical exhibition “Unseen Siam Early Photography 1860-1910” closed last month after a two-month run at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) but its curators MR Narisa Chakrabongse and Paisarn Piammettawat promise to delight history enthusiasts with their new show, “Siam Through the Lens of John Thomson, 1865-1866” at River City.
The exhibition marks the 150th anniversary of John Thomson’s first visit to Siam and is the last chance to appreciate these 60 rare historical photographs before they are returned to the Wellcome Library, London.
While the show at BACC brought together 150 images by 15 photographers in parallel with a contemporary art show co-curated by the Centre’s Pichaya Suphavanij, the exhibition at River City combines Thomson’s photos with rare antiques from the reign of Kings Rama IV and V.
The centrepiece of this exhibition is the photograph of King Rama IV with young Prince Chulalongkorn or King Rama V and some of the antiques featured in these historical photographs. There will also be talks by experts on the history, way of life and society depicted in these images.
Scotsman John Thomson (1837–1921) travelled to Siam in 1865 during the reign of King Rama IV. He was the first professional to be commissioned to take photographs of the King and members of the royal family inside the Grand Palace. Thomson is regarded as the most important photographer of the 19th century.
SHOWING NOW
- The show runs through January 15 at RCB Galleria, 2nd floor, River City Bangkok. Admission is Bt50. For more information (02) 237 0077 or visit www.RiverCityBangkok.com.
