Historical stories and artists from the 19th century are portrayed through highly polished art during "The Oblivion", which is running at Number 1 Gallery, until June 25.
On display are 14 paintings created by Kongpop Benjanirat, a well-known artist from Silpakorn University, reputed for rendering an ancient painting style, which represents a remarkable academic art skill.
The exhibition was inspired by an interest in forgotten historical accounts. In the past, most historical stories only touched on important incidents that became a turning point in each period of time.
The stories were composed in a straight line, dragging through plenty of various profound historical story branches that have been neglected. This is where artists and artworks that contributed to a new art movement of each period emerged on historical pages.
Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, an oil on linen by Kongpop Benjanirat. photo courtesy of jaturong k.
Kongpop studied the time of many painters of the academic art movement in the 19th century, namely William-Adolphe Bouguereau, Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Jean-Léon Gérôme, Frederic Leighton and Carolus-Duran.
From a fraction of the information that has been left, he creates artworks that not only unveil the other side of forgotten history but also bring it back to life in this contemporary art world.
Number 1 Gallery is on Silom Road and opens Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 7pm.
Visit number1gallery.com or call 02-630-2523.
