Residents of the Mahakan Fort Community were evicted from their homes in 2017 after the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) decided to turn the historic area into a public park. Before everything was torn down, Bangkok Sketcher, a group of artists who draw on location, visited the site to capture the final moments of the community. Three urban sketchers in the group -- Suppachai Vongnoppadondacha, aka Louis Sketcher, Pitirat Yoswattana and Sompong Ngamsangrat -- were overwhelmed to witness the scene and were drawn to the architectural structures that would soon be demolished.
Scala by Suppachai Vongnoppadondacha. (Photo: facebook.com/lllouissketcher)
"We sat down and drew the Mahakan Fort Community as half of the community was being dismantled and transformed into a public park. However, on the other hand, some people were fighting for their homes. I drew the Golden Mount Wat Saket Temple and published the drawing in my book, Wad Phra Nakorn Bangkok Old Town Through Sketches which was released after the community disappeared. I still have goosebumps thinking about it. I regret that the BMA could not make the most of the community as I believe it could attract tourists. However, it probably would be difficult to manage and was easier to replace the community with the park. Some people think removing the community was a great move because the view of the Golden Mount can now be seen clearly. Unfortunately, there is no community or history left to connect to the area," said Pitirat.
The watercolour paintings of the Mahakan Fort Community are part of the art exhibition "Sen-Sod:Life-Line" now on view at Bangkok Art and Culture Cente (BACC). The show features 109 sketchings, drawings and paintings by the trio under the group name Life Line, and five pieces by a guest artist, Thiwat Pattaragulwanit, who is a veteran member of Bangkok Sketcher.
"Thiwat had been a member of Bangkok Sketcher during its early years, so he displayed works he has created since 2000. We call our exhibition 'Life Line' to emphasise the fact we draw on location. The showcase is divided into two sections -- sketching in Thailand and sketching while travelling overseas to places such as Vietnam, China and Japan. During the Covid-19 pandemic, people who missed travelling abroad can come here to view our paintings. We hope that our show can encourage people to sketch their own travelling experiences," explained Pitirat.
Pitirat Yoswattana.
The Life Line members have solid backgrounds in sketching and drawing, so they were already capable of sketching architectural structures when they joined Bangkok Sketcher. While Suppachai and Pitirat graduated from the Faculty of Architecture at Chulalongkorn University, Sompong earned his bachelor's degree in Interior Architecture from King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang. Like Pitirat, Suppachai and Sompong also released their own books. In 2019, Suppachai released a compilation of his drawings and paintings titled Moments In Bangkok. Meanwhile, Sompong started his sketch journal 16 years ago when he travelled from China to Vietnam. That journal became his first book, From Chiang Rung To Hoi An. Sompong has released seven more books which are the result of his sketch journals during his backpacking tours of Asia.
Even though Life Line members share similar interests in urban sketching, their creations are in different styles. Suppachai stands out for his sharp lines and vivid colours with strong contrast while Pitirat's pieces are intriguing and use new tones and colours which she mixes herself. She also uses space to create a composition in order to tell stories through her artwork. Last but not least, Sompong's unique works are raw and free form with lots of black and white.
Sketches in the book Haridwar: Pratu Sue Prajao (Haridwar: The Gate To God) by Sompong Ngamsangrat.
Initially, Suppachai found that drawing on location was more difficult than from a photo because sketchers have to figure out the focus of a picture. Pitirat said some people do not like to draw on location because it requires great concentration, plus hot weather and a chaotic environment can distract some, which is why many prefer to work in a studio. Unlike other sketchers, Sompong used urban sketching to kill time when he was a solo traveller.
Sompong Ngamsangrat.
"In the past, travelling by train to India and China took a very long time. As a solo traveller, I felt very lonely. If I did not sketch, I would go crazy. Sketching and taking notes in my journal can curb loneliness and help me focus on what is in front of me," said Sompong.
Despite focusing on different subjects, the trio prefers to draw historical architecture and communities.
"I started by sketching a building and expanded my interest to other objects. When I was searching for a building to draw, I walked through markets, restaurants and food stalls. Hence, I drew food, merchants, carts and other lifestyles. These details add feeling to the sketch," said Suppachai.
"We are not going to tell a story through our works like a postcard. We prefer to tell a story of the relationship between the people and the site," explained Pitirat.
Nowadays, people can use mobile phones to quickly capture images they want. So, why does the trio still want to spend their time drawing on-site?
Mahakan Fort Community by Pitirat Yoswattana.
"Everyone should try this. The moment I sit down at a site and experience atmosphere through my five senses is special. Taking pictures with a mobile phone or a camera is fine but sketching is another way to truly feel and connect to the atmosphere," explained Pitirat.
"Whenever I look at each sketch, I can remember what happened while working on it since I spend more time sketching on-site than the time needed to take a photo," added Suppachai.
Aside from Mahakan Fort Community, the trio also drew buildings that have changed. For example, Suppachai drew the stand-alone cinema Scala and another classic icon, Lido.
"Scala's interior design was striking. I saw movies there often, so I felt regret that this place could not remain in business. Wat Kalayanamit Woramahawihan changed because new buildings were erected which ruined the view of the temple," said Suppachai.
Many urban sketchers have drawn buildings that are no more today. However, as an author of travel books, Sompong had an unusual experience while backpacking in India.
"I met a Thai guy in a temple in India. He told me that he left his home in Thailand 15 years ago without telling his family because he wanted to live in isolation in India. I felt very distressed when he told me that he had left his mother. I told him that I would write his story in a book and I did. Two years after the book, Haridwar: Pratu Sue Prajao [Haridwar: The Gate To God] was released, his son who lived in Thailand called me and asked where the guy was. I told him that I could take him there, but he did not contact me again," said Sompong.
When the trio travel overseas, they visit urban sketchers in other countries to network for Bangkok Sketcher. These sketchers will take them to local spots that are not revealed in guide books. Suppachai and Pitirat think sketching in other countries is not much different from sketching in Thailand.
"Only the environment is different. When we were in Hanoi, there was always loud honking which distracted us. We had to adjust ourselves," said Suppachai.
Sompong, however, felt that sketching abroad was easier.
"Their cultures are different, so they attract my interest and encourage me to search for more information. For instance, from sculptures of horses of Chinese kings, I noticed that the horses' tails had knots, so the tails did not interrupt them during war battles," said Sompong.
Five pieces by guest artist Thiwat Pattaragulwanit.
The trio hopes that the exhibition will inspire visitors to start sketching.
"Many people are worried that their sketches are not beautiful. Many people at Bangkok Sketcher do not have a background in art but they keep practising and their drawings are getting better. I am always happy when someone tells me that after seeing my pieces, he/she wants to sketch and eventually he/she starts to. That is the best feedback ever," concluded Suppachai.
"Sen-Sod:Life-Line" runs at Bangkok Art & Culture Centre until March 7. Visit facebook.com/baccpage or call 02-214-6630 for more information.
