THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Memories of a lifetime

Memories of a lifetime

Art provides the backdrop for grief and reflection at two Bangkok malls

Memories of a lifetime

Shoppers outside Siam Paragon get their pictures taken with Suwit Jaipom’s 15-metre-long painting “Father of the Land”. Nation/Kunlaphun Siripimamporn

 

A sprawling multiple portrait of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej outside Siam Paragon has become the city’s busiest “selfie” destination.
The 15-metre-long on paper masterpiece in crayon and charcoal, entitled “Father of the Land”, depicts the late King at different stages of his life, beginning with his childhood in Switzerland.
It’s part of the mall’s homage to His Majesty, “In Remembrance of the Father of the Land”, which continues through December 5, his birthday.
Chiang Rai-based artist Suwit Jaipom created the huge tribute to the King over the course of three months in 2011, while much of Thailand was flooded. 
“I was inspired by His Majesty’s perseverance,” he says. “I used a storytelling approach to chronicle the King’s life, from when he lived abroad through his ordination and coronation to his trips around the country. The last one depicts His Majesty’s 70th anniversary on the throne.”
Suwit says he was employed in advertising at the time and worked on the portrait after returning home each day. “I didn’t feel like sleeping and I wanted to get it done.”
More than 40 other portraits of the King by 11 different artists are meanwhile on view in the Exploratorium on the fifth floor of Siam Discovery. Most have been created since His Majesty’s death on October 13. 
Pornchai Sinonpat says he was moved to paint the large “King Rama IX of Siam” after realising that Thailand had “found a real superhero with immeasurable power”. 
“His Majesty chose to use his power for the benefit of all of us,” the artists points out. “That’s what we’ve seen – his long-time devotion to us while he was our King. He was a perfect role model, and a constant inspiration for me to create various forms of work to praise him for being our beloved father.”
Wattana Poolcharoen presents five images in acrylic illustrating the King’s talents in music. He’s seen playing the saxophone with the Crown Prince and the piano with Her Majesty the Queen, and alone performing on saxophone, trumpet and guitar.
Banjob Putipin’s drawing “Ascension to Great Heaven” sets a little princess and hardworking king against a circular backdrop. Former ambassador to Sri Lanka Poldej Worachat painted “Forever”, in which a bubble forms into a portrait of His Majesty.
Other artists participating in the show are Dinhin Rakpongasoke, Larp Ampairat, Pornchai Sinonpat, Chingchai U-domcharoenkij, Surat Sodsangsuk, Navee Ruangrabiab and Somyot Kumsang.

Memories of a lifetime

Suwit has a second painting also titled “Father of the Land” among the works on view at Siam Discovery Centre. Photo/Siam Piwat

Suwit is also among them, sharing another painting he did in 2014, also titled “The Father of the Land”. Over the years he’s rendered the King’s likeness more than 500 times. This one derives from a stirring well-known photo of the King, taken on one of his upcountry trips as he was consulting local people. A bead of sweat is visible at the tip of his nose.
“Anytime you feel exhausted from work, you can just look at this picture and feel happiness,” Suwit says. “It encourages you to never give up. His Majesty worked a thousand times harder than most of us do, but he was tireless in the way he took care of his subjects. 
“That’s why I never get discouraged when I paint a picture of him. In fact it always makes be happy doing it. Plus, we can apply the guidance he gave us in our lives every day because it’s so practical and useful. I’ve lived all my life according to his sayings. 
“The King might have passed away, but I will continue painting his portrait until the last day of my life.”
 

THE STORY IN PORTRAITS
- The royal tribute “In Remembrance of the Father of the Land” continues at the Exploratorium on the fifth floor of Siam Discovery and at Siam Paragon’s Parc Paragon until December 5.
 

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