Shapes for His Majesty

Sculture 68, a team of students from Silpakorn University, shot into the spotlight recently when their work, a sculpture of a child reading a book, picked up first prize in the second Art for the King Project organised by Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Twenty universities from across the country submitted entries inspired by His Majesty the King’s teachings to the competition on the theme “Duay Klao”.

Sculpture 68, whose multimedia 3D works is made of recycled material, portrays the Monarch’s interest in constantly educating himself and studying hard before introducing any projects that would benefit the Thai people.

The team’s representative, a junior at Silpakorn, compares books to a father who teaches his children valuable lessons.

“Here, old newspapers and donated books are given a new life to symbolise that the child is looking at his father as a leader and a role model. What he learns from reading the books is like what he learns from the father. ‘Father’s Books’ conveys the thoughts and knowledge, which the father passes on to his children,” says the youngster, adding that it took the team three months to complete the work.

The distinction award went to Naresuan University’s Sculpture NU3 team for “Infinity of the Royal Mercy”. The sculpture signifies the “infinity” symbol and refers the King’s endless mercy for the Thai people.

“The Ample Dawn” by PSG Art Fun team, also from Silpakorn University, won the Popular Vote award. The sculpture is influenced by the fact that HM the King is both a thinker and inventor and takes its inspiration from the Chaipattana Aerator, a machine created to add oxygen and bring life back to water. The art piece comprises several waste materials that have themselves been given new life through it art.

Other interesting pieces honoured with Creative Awards include “Paying Respect” by the Pratichon (People) team from Bundit Patanasilpa Institute, which is inspired by the farming-based sufficiency philosophy. The sculpture is made from waste and farming products. 

The “Happiness” sculpture, meanwhile, by Kasetsart University’s A Simple Thing is made from rice grains and egg shells. 

Another Silpakorn team, Jor Por Phor 1, came up with “Being Delightful under the Royal Governance”, which is shaped like a cloud and signifies the coming of the rain, implying the hope of people wishing for an abundance of crops. 

Also from the same university is “Matter does not disappear” by the Four Monsters and One Handsome Boy team, which is inspired by the King’s composition “Klai Rung” (“Nearly Dawn”). 

Chiang Mai University’ s Non Stop team presents the saxophone-shaped “Every Single Breath”, a symbol of how every breath of His Majesty is dedicated to the Thai people, while the Pun Naen Puek team from King Mongkut Technological Institute, Lat Krabang campus, displays “Virtuous Seeds”, which sees small water bottle shaped caps into the seed form, inside of which are chopsticks and water straws that refer to the betterment of the hill-tribe village.

 

GOOD SEEDS

Nine sculptures from the Art for the King Project are on show at CentralWorld in Bangkok until Friday.