Charity auction of Ekachai Wankaew's paintings

Charity auction of Ekachai Wankaew's paintings

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

For a young boy who was once rejected by the local school because of his disability, it seems almost an impossibility that Ekachai Wankaew has become not only an able artist, but also a graduate of Poh Chang Academy of Arts, Rajamangala University of Technology of Rattanakosin and an art professor.

The Four Types Of Lotus is one of the oil paintings to be auctioned at the Shangri-La Hotel on Dec 12 at 6.30pm.

"After I graduate next year, I wish to have the chance to study a master's degree ... so I can one day become an art teacher while still creating my own artworks," he said in an interview a few years back. "But I know it is very difficult, especially for a person like me to get to that point of success."

Ekachai was born with congenital limb deficiency, and with no arms and misshapen legs, he has painted his way to where he is today with his foot, mouth and neck.

Only by looking back now do we realise how much he underestimated himself. Ekachai is now, aside from being a TV host and motivational speaker, planning to build his own non-profit "The Arts Centre" where everyone, physically impaired or not, can come to learn and appreciate art the way he does.

Organised by the Shangri-La Hotel, an auction of five of Ekachai's oil paintings will take place on Dec 12. All proceeds will go to support the building of his non-profit art school.

"Ever since I was rejected by a school when I was young I have always said to myself that if I had a chance one day I would share it with those who don't have the opportunity to do what they love," said the artist. "It can be anybody, if they have the money they can pay me the fee. If they don't, then it's fine."

All five works are finely painted, and it's incredible that Ekachai finished the series in less than two months.

"I spent night time from 6pm to 2am doing it because I have to teach during the day."

The series is comprised of The Four Types Of Lotus, a painting of the Lord Buddha's head with lotus flowers in various positions to reflect Buddhist teachings about many types of human beings, Relations and Unity depict deep-sea scenes where all creatures live in harmony, while Abundance shows a scene in verdant forest with an elephant standing elegantly at the centre. The highlight of the series is a painting called Perseverance, a work that represents Ekachai's great struggle that has brought him to where he is today.

Referring to Perseverance, Ekachai says that it's about his own life.

"In my life, I have to struggle several times harder than normal people in order to achieve something."

"I hope I can give opportunities to the younger generation in their art journey," said Ekachai, adding that maybe he could turn the school into a gallery for his students to showcase their works as well.

Aside from the auction, viewers can take part in the "Art Is Hope" charity Christmas tree activity by donating to the Unity cards reproduced from the paintings by him.


The auction will take place at the Shangri-La Hotel on Dec 12 at 6.30pm. The Unity cards can be purchased at the hotel from Dec 12-Jan 5.

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