Master of the elements

Kamol Tassananchalee is nothing if not a force of nature. At 71, the internationally recognised artist enjoys harmony in his own universe, living between different cultural, spiritual and artistic traditions.

In a 2012 article for the LA Art Core webzine, Robert Seitz opines that he has an established familiarity with multiplicity, such as the dyad of East and West.

Kamol shrugs off such comments, saying merely, “I still tread the same path as when I started. I take pleasure in living my life as a Thai artist.”

He chats easily with the press as he prepares for his latest exhibition, “Kamol Tassananchalee and Friends”, which opens today at the Ratchadamnoen Contemporary Art Centre.

 “I intended to organise my exhibition last year to celebrate my 70th birthday but was forced to cancel because of the political situation,” says Kamol, who was named a National Artist in visual art in 1998 and California Artist of the Year in 1980. “But holding it this year gives me the opportunity to pay respect to Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn as she marks her 60th birthday.”

The new exhibition is not a showcase of his most recent works though it does serve to illustrate the development of his art in the context of the Asian philosophy. It also brings together artworks by 125 other artists including 20 national artists – most of them his close friends. 

His four latest large sculptures made of stainless steel are being installed on the ground floor as we tour the gallery. One of them, titled “The Four Elements: East and West”, features a cleaved globe with the two hemispheres off set, a roller, and some pieces of stainless steel bearing designs made with a laser. 

 “I created the cleaved globe and the roll when I was 67 and only now have mixed them with new pieces. The cleaved globe depicts my life in the two worlds of West and East while the roller signifies a circle of life. All are based on my philosophy that no matter how much the world changes, the classic elements – earth, water, wind and fire – remain the same,” Kamol explains.

Another, “Sadudee Maharaja”, was created in collaboration with songwriter Chalee Intarawichit.

“‘Sadudee Maharaja’ is one of three works in which I have incorporated part of the poem ‘Arts Shine the World’ by my fellow National Artist, Naowarat Pongpaiboon as well as writing by Sathaporn Srisajjang, also a National Artist. I used a laser to inscribe some of the lyrics from the song ‘Sadudee Maharaja’ [‘The Royal Salute Marches’] penned by Chalee on four pieces of stainless steel that are shaped like nang yai [shadow puppets]. I then incorporated elements of wind and fire along with His Majesty the King’s project of artificial rain,” Kamol explains.

Near the sculptures are works by 20 National Artists – Suthep Wongkamhaeng, Naowarat Pongpaiboon, Chamraung Vichienket, Prayad Pongdam, Thawan Duchanee, Pratuang Emjaroen, Sathaporn Srisajjang, Tawee Ratchaneekorn, Nonthivathn Chandhanaphalin, Decha Warashoon, Yanyong Olarachin, Ithipol Thangchalok, Preecha Thaothong, Waranun Chutchawantipakorn, Thongchai Rakpathum, Chalermchai Kositpipat and Vichoke Mukdamanee as well as sketches by former prime minister Chuan Leekpai.

“In honour of the Princess’s birthday, I am showing one of her watercolours and have also produced a new one that I’ve mixed with her personal brushes, a colour palette and an apron. Chuan Leekpai’s sketches are included in a nod to his pioneering the National Artist project, which has been now been running for 30 years. One of his sketches shows me while giving speech after receiving honorary doctor of arts degree at Thaksin University. Others were done at Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and at a funeral at Yosemite National Park.

“Other National Artists include my master, Prakit “Jit” Buabut, who is famous for his impasto technique in oils. I commemorate Thawan with a video presentation of his photos together with a soundtrack of American folk singer Joan Baez’s ‘Rock, Salt and Nails’, which was his favourite song. Every time he came to stay with me in America, he would ask me to play this song over and over again. He would sing along and even translated it into Thai as a poem form. He had a collection of Joan Baez’s CDs and told me that her words ‘too lonesome to cry’ hit him right in the heart,” Kamol says.

The last zone of the exhibition presents Kamol’s latest abstract and mixed media paintings including the 1-10 series. 

The second and third floors are devoted to works by the 100 artists who travelled to the US and worked with Kamol on a project sponsored by the Culture Ministry’s Office of Contemporary Art and Culture.

“They acquired so much knowledge after visiting several museums. I remember how surprised they were to see such masterpieces up close. And when they came home, they shared that knowledge,” says Kamol.

 

On the walls

_ “Kamol Tassananchalee and Friends” runs until February 6 at the Ratchadamnoen Contemporary Art Centre. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over the opening at 5 today.