Tender into the day

WORKS BY THE late National Artist Prayad Pongdam are immediately recognisable even without his signature. Known as one of Thailand’s great printmaking pioneers, he was constantly inspired by his memories and the love and warmth he enjoyed in his family and even saw his rendering of a rooster grace a Thai postage stamp.
Now his impressionistic pieces featuring people and animals can be enjoyed in “Unconditional Love”, an exhibition at the Gaysorn shopping centre through September.
“We are very proud and honoured that the Galerie has this chance to celebrate and commemorate a National Artist. We’ve worked closely with Professor Prayad’s family in organising this exhibition on the theme ‘love and family’, which is particularly appropriate at this time as the show coincides with the upcoming Mother’s Day,” says Korakot Srivikorn, Gaysorn’s executive director.
Prayad’s son, Saksiam, is also pleased at this celebration of his father’s work.
“This will be the first major exhibition since late 2011 and also the first time his works are being shown since he passed away last September,” Saksiam says. “We are featuring his woodcut printings, his paintings, and sculptures – more than 40 pieces in total. All of them reflect love, warmth, and family, based on his childhood memories.
“In most of his works, the subjects were people. He’s known for his beautiful, minimal lines that portray feelings. He often drew a mother and a child wearing Lao puan-influenced traditional clothes, as that’s where he was originally from. The pictures also reflect his love for my grandmother. One of the most striking pieces is the woodcut print titled ‘Motherhood’, created in 1986. It talks about the ties between a mother and a child, conveyed through the act of hugging. Another piece is ‘Sisters’, which came from his memories of carrying his brother on his back to play at the temple. He also painted a lot of animal pictures, such as cats, owls, and geckos. The highlight of the exhibition is ‘4 Cats’, an oil painting he created in 1958, and which remained his favourite. Back then, he used heavy strokes and thick colours. This is the oldest picture in the exhibition. Another is an oil pastel titled ‘Owl’s Family’ created in 2000. It’s about the love and bond among family members,” Saksiam continues.
“We have also selected his ‘Hesitation’ sculpture, which he created when he noticed a kitten hesitating about whether it should jump down from the desk. Its endearing hesitation prompted him to make a sculpture using clay, and he later made a brass sculpture in the same shape.”
“Unconditional love” also presents “The Richness of the Motherland”, a 120 x 240 cm multimedia piece that uses wood carving and drawing to reflect the fertility of Thailand under His Majesty’s benevolence.
“This was his last piece and he passed away before he finished it. It is the first time this piece will be displayed for the public,” Saksiam says.
 ANIMAL
MAGIC
- “Unconditional Love” by Prayad Pongdam is at the the Galerie on the ground floor of Gaysorn until September 8. It’s open from 10am to 8pm daily.
- Find out more at www.Gaysorn.com and www.Facebook.com/gaysornshoppingcentre.