"Damrong Wong-uparaj: A Retrospective Of Versatility And Discipline" pays tribute to the late national artist recognised for his nostalgic and contemplative visual scenes. The exhibition is running at the Main Gallery, 8th floor of Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre, Pathumwan intersection, until July 25.
On display are 70 paintings and printmaking created during Assist Prof Damrong's 40-year career as an artist, lecturer, writer, curator, director for art centres and art conservator. They are divided into four major periods of his life.
His masterpieces created while he was a student at Poh Chang Academy until graduating from the Faculty of Painting and Sculpture at Silpakorn University (1954-1962) were inspired by local craft and architecture and portrayed rural Thainess through Western-influenced visual creativity.
Most of his works in the second period saw him further his art studies overseas (1962-1975) and featured abstracts with strong expressive brush strokes. Some were synthetic abstract art with simple-coloured forms and collage, mixed with printing techniques. He also produced geometric minimalist paintings of familiar farmland and rural areas.
During his residency trip to Japan (1976-1977) where he studied the relationship between local architecture and its surrounding environment, he developed his own technique using pen and watercolour to draw very fine detailed lines that echo the peaceful meditative state of Shinto and Zen philosophy and the way humans and nature co-exist.
The image of a small house nestled within the vast rural landscape is common in multiple paintings produced during his last 25 years of life (1977-2002). They are a representation of his character, way of life and spirit that yearns for simplicity and serenity.
Also featured in the exhibition are academic essays and video interviews of his classmates, colleagues, family and collectors, all of whom played important roles in his life throughout different periods.
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