According to the Foundation for the Deaf under the royal patronage of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, three out of 1,000 newborns in Thailand experience hearing loss. Due to advanced technology, these children will be able to hear like others if they undergo cochlear implant surgery at an early age. However, the surgery costs 500,000 baht per ear which many parents cannot afford.
To support parents with children with hearing loss through the Foundation for the Deaf, Prof Nantawat Boramanand, photographer and former dean of the Faculty of Law at Chulalongkorn University, held two black and white photo exhibitions in 2022 titled "The Tale Of Two Cities" and "The Tale Of Two Cities: Epilogue". With great support from donors, these exhibitions were able to fund 21 cochlear implant surgeries.
Following previous success, Nantawat is currently holding another black and white photo exhibition titled "Last Year Photographed By Nantawat", at the Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC) Gallery, 1st floor, Charoen Krung Road, until May 25. The exhibition is a fundraising effort to assist children who are on the waiting list for cochlear implant surgery.
"Last Year Photographed By Nantawat" displays 75 photos taken by the professor. The photos have never been displayed anywhere else since they were taken between Jan 1 to Dec 31 last year. The exhibition also showcases 31 works by 10 guest artists -- each of whom has transformed photos by Nantawat into new works using their own style.
Prof Nantawat Boramanand, centre, with guest artists.
The guest artists are HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, ML Chiratorn Chirapravati, Phansakdi Chakkaphak, Prof Thavorn Ko-udomvit, Prof Yanawit Kunchaethong, Boonserm Premthada, Nakrob Moonmanas, Atchalinee Kesornsook, Arinya Kanthino and Rakfah Sutterlin.
Anyone can donate to support cochlear implant surgery through a money transfer to the Foundation for the Deaf, account number 722-2-20808-9, Kasikorn Bank, Rachawat Branch. If donors want a receipt, send a payment slip to Line: @deafthai.
Admission is free. For more information, visit facebook.com/deafthaifoundation.
The photo exhibition 'Last Year Photographed By Nantawat'.
