A source of inspiration for artwork doesn't have to always be something positive. Some Thai artists have turned the coronavirus and its resulting consequences into their muse. Here are a few favourites:
- Nakrob Moonmanas, who's known for his collage work of Western art and Thai elements, adds a Thai style female angel in Vincent van Gogh's Bedroom In Arles in a piece he named Isolation Odyssey. He also puts a Covid-19 spin on Édouard Manet's The Luncheon On The Grass. The iconic nude female wears a diver helmet and a mask and is paired with what seems to be a shirtless man. What's with chada headdresses and floating goldfish and carps, you ask? We guess that's why this piece is called Pisces.
- Illustrator Yossanan "Suntur" Wuthikornsombatkul offers a free icon and wallpaper set for Mac users to spruce up their desktop while they WFH. "The Beach" also helps ease your need for vitamin sea while you're unable to visit beaches IRL. Download free at bit.ly/39ymfos. He also offers his selected artworks, which have been inspired by social distancing, via For Breath Project until April 30 for B3,000 each. All proceeds will be donated to buy medical supplies and equipment, and to treat Covid-19 patients in Thailand. Contact @forbreathproject via Line, email forbreathproject@gmail.com or call 080-946-9664.
- Naradhip "Faro" Paspirom is an artist who has explored bodypainting, illustration and graphic design. He also won a livery design competition hosted by AirAsia in 2017. Through his recently-launched Facebook (fb.com/farox21), he showcases artworks inspired by Covid-19, some of which have a rather dark tone. In "Covid 4", he interprets social distancing in a straightforward manner as 14 individuals on 14 letters keep a distance from each other. He also turns the shape of coronavirus into an animation that spells Covid-19 in Thai and spells a frowning face when it turns upside down.
Photographers Against Covid-19
19 Photogs Aide in the Fight Against Covid-19
Nineteen noted Thai photographers have joined forces in a fund-raising campaign titled "The 19 Project". They each contribute a photograph to be printed on a 21cm-by-29.7cm Awagami paper, ranging from snow-topped mountains by Marisa Rungroj to vibrant tom yum goong by Patcha Kitchaicharoen. Other notable participants are Leica ambassador Peerapat Wimolrungkarat, street photographer Rammy Narula and conservationist/photographer Tom Potisit. Their pictures will be printed by Bloom Digital Pro Lab & Studio in exhibition-worthy quality. Each is priced at B1,199 and can be delivered throughout Thailand for free. All sale proceeds will be donated to Chulalongkorn University and Chumphon Khet Udomsak Hospital to aid medical personnel in the combat against Covid-19 pandemic. View all 19 pictures at bit.ly/2KhIbKp and buy them at bit.ly/2RRufLw.
