June 8, 1999
We Care Carving a path At a community arts centre in Lampang, for the price of their meals rural youngsters can learn the personal and artistic skills to give them a brighter future Chompoo Trakullertsathien The Ngao Community Art Centre in Lampang province is home to about 100 carved elephants-all born of the caring, skillful hands of wood sculptor Kham-ai Dejduangta.At the centre, visitors can appreciate the art of carving which turns lifeless lumber into majestic animals.More than three decades ago when the northern forests were still teeming with wildlife, Mr Kham-ai roamed the jungles to observe elephants in their natural habitat. He sketched their movements-meandering, eating, swimming and mating. Then at home he would take the sketches and sculpt the creatures-crafting the wood to incorporate every small and delicate detail of the huge creatures."I like sculpting elephants because they symbolise many great virtues such as courage, intelligence and patience," he said.Then in 1967, Mr Kham-ai set up the Ngao Community Art Centre so his huge works could be displayed. He turned his four-rai plot of land into a natural art gallery. The images he considers his masterpieces are kept inside the gallery, with others placed outside among the trees. Apart from serving as a community gallery, the centre teaches carving skills to local people, in particularly poorer youngsters who would have no chance to attend art school. "Unlike their city peers, rural children have less access to art training. Their parents can't afford to sent them to prestigious art schools. The authorities also turn their back on rural folk. They won't invest in anything that they don't see as having a quick financial return. That's why we have to help our community and do what we can," said the 53-year-old artist, who is originally from Chiang Mai. Mr Kham-ai said, through art, youngsters can sharpen their sense of aesthetics, expand the limits of their imagination and develop more questioning minds. Their creativity can grow and they can learn to appreciate their ancestors' artistic skills, he said. But art museums are in short supply in rural areas."Most galleries are in big cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai, and rural children can't afford to visit them. Kham-ai Dejduangta turns wood into majestic pachyderms. He has also given local people an opportunity to learn how to carve wood by setting up an art school in the grounds of the Ngao Community Art Centre. _ SOMKID CHAIJITVANIT We badly need galleries in our communities so children can experience the world of art," said Mr Kham-ai, who learned carving techniques from local artists when he was about 18.Living art was once abundant in local communities as farmers did not just make utensils such as baskets, coconut grinders and ladles-they created them.But Mr Kham-ai laments the fact that now villagers so often discard their folk art in favour of plastic utensils-so much so, that many younger people have lost their grasp of craftsmanship. "People now prefer to buy utensils from shops instead of creating them. Folk art is fast disappearing. How can we expect the next generation to appreciate and learn of their ancestors' past intellect when plastic is considered so valuable?" he asked. In an effort to turn things and revive northern folk art, Mr Kham-ai is working with a group of local artists who have established a boarding school at the Ngao Community Art Centre. The school opened its doors in March, offering a one-year wood carving and sculpting course for youngsters."We operate with very little funding, but in spite of the shortage of cash, we're determined to pass on northern craftsmanship to the next generation," he said. Apart from needing financial assistance, the centre also need artists to volunteer to guide the students, he added.The school is actually open to local people regardless of age and gender. Each course can accommodate up to 30 students. There are no educational requirements and the only thing students must pay for is their food.The course aims to provide both art lessons and moral guidance. At 5 a.m. every day, the students get up to meditate together. Monks and teachers are also invited to the centre regularly to talk about moral and social responsibilities. "Education must go hand in hand with morality, both help shape one's thinking and behaviour. Text-book knowledge alone cannot help when faced with a dilemma. We need to equip our young people with a moral compass and the art of positive thinking."When he set out, Mr Kham-ai said he focused only on technical skills-his aim being to teach youngsters a craft so they can lift themselves out of poverty."That was a big mistake on my part," he said. "I only gave them the skills to make money. Afterwards, they competed fiercely with one another and became enemies. Their friendship and sense of community was destroyed by greed.At the art school, the apprentices learn how to live in harmony with others from different backgrounds and sharing is the keyword. "Sometimes art makes people more egotistic. For people who live together, it's important to get rid of selfishness by learning a sense of sharing," he said. There are now four regular volunteer teachers at the centre. To broaden the apprentices' perspective, Mr Kham-ai exposes them to the work of famous artists and he frequently invites nationally renowned artists to speak at the centre. The one-year art course includes basic drawing and carving. For elephant sculptures, the trainees are also required to study anatomy, movement and animal behaviour. Experts from the Forestry Department provide basic knowledge about the quality of the wood, since it is the students' main medium of expression. Most of the wood is donated by the Forest Industry Organisation and the villagers. "The students need to know about the nature of wood and how to use it to achieve the maximum benefit," said Mr Kham-ai. Apprentices, he believes, also need to learn performing arts and other cultural entertainments to stay in creative good health. After the morning meditation, for example, apprentices have exercise sessions which include folk dancing and boxing. In the afternoon, in drama class the apprentices learn to express their thoughts and feelings in a different artistic medium. "It's useless to know about art intellectually, but not know how to express it through words or actions. Such performances can help us present our thoughts and emotions and help us to convey our messages through wood more effectively. "My goal is to nourish students' creativity. I don't like my students to copy other people's ideas. They have to develop their creative thinking themselves," said Mr Kham-ai. The centre has no formal classrooms. The earth serves as the seat of learning and the shade of the trees provides the perfect roof. "Teaching and learning can take place everywhere. I want them to feel free while they exercise their imagination," Mr Kham-ai said. During the one-year training, Mr Kham-ai advises the students to save money they earn from any works they sell. Each student has their own bank account. After completing their training they then have the funds to help kick-start their career. For those who have no money to get through the course, Mr Kham-ai seeks sponsorship from the public. The centre also serves as the place where local artists can store or display their works for free. "This way, local people have a chance to appreciate art. Many city artists also send their works here so rural people can stay abreast of modern art in Thailand."The centre is currently rather run-down. Two months ago, work was done on the new exhibition hall, thanks to a series of donations. But many other parts of the centre need immediate repair. "This is a tough time for everyone, I guess. People have to think twice before spending money. Few people see the value of art and so we get little help. "Our work is endless and we just do what we can. We don't think big, but we really do what we think in pursuit of our goals," he said. And he would like to see more community art projects around the country. He said: "As I see it, the more the country has community art centres, the healthier our cultural identity. We should learn to be proud of what we are."And art, he said, has a central role in defining who we are. Info for donations: Name of Organisation: The Ngao Community Art Centre - Contact person: Kham-ai Dejduangta. Address: Ngao Community Art Centre, 33 Moo 9, Ban Khoi, tambon Ban Rong, Ngao district, Lampang, 52110. - Account Name: Kong Thun Kae Salak Mai. - Savings account number: 05-3503-20-043334-4, Government Savings Bank, Ngao branch. * Alternatively, send your cheque payable to Post Publishing Public Company Limited (For Kong Thun Kae Salak Mai) to Mrs Kusuma Mintakhin, Editorial Manager, 136 Na Ranong Road, off Sunthorn Kosa, Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110. Her telephone number is 2403700 ext 3224-5. Please include your name and address with your cheque so we can send you a receipt. * We Care is a weekly series honouring people who believe in giving. Apart from supporting these causes, your can also let us know about people who unselfishly help others so we can honour their efforts. Fax We Care on 240-3668 or call 240-3700 ext 3208 or 3212. Or email sanitsuda@bangkokpost.net. * For a comprehensive list of charities convered by Outlook's We Care weekly series, see the Bangkok Post Website at http://www.bangkokpost.net/outlookwecare/		Current Issues in Thailand Bangkok Post Year-end Economic Review AutoWeb Classifieds Jobs Property Entertainment Investment Education Travel Sales Learn English Weekly Database Horizons NiteOwl Student Weekly Real Time Special We Care Back Issues Company Servcies Subscriptions Advertising Annual Report
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