Artist : Chalerm Nakiraks
In my opinion, art is devided into two main streams, arts of the West and of the East. Arts of the West emphasize three dimensional forms (concepts), while arts of the East are only two dimensional and idealistic. When you view the latter art works, you have to think. Take for example the paintings of Dhamma and the Chataka (The Previous Lives of The Buddha). Thai artists in the old days were geniuses, but the students always followed the teachers’ concepts in form and movement. We therefore have not seen much development in terms of form. However, we are Thai, and in the process of creating art works, the arts we produce should reflect our Thai identity, which develops in accordance with changing times. At the final stage, artists should emphasize, and later declare, their uniqueness. As Professor Silpa Bhirasri said, ”If the artist can present his own identity or uniqueness, he or she is a true artist.”
Born : 21 September 1917, Ubon Ratchathani
Pass away 2002
Educations
1935-1939 – Certificate of Arts and Crafts, School of Arts and Crafts
1947 – Diploma of Arts, School of Arts and Crafts
1958 – Studied arts and crafts in Japan supported by the International Labour Organization
1980 – Short-term visit to U.S.A.
1982 – Invited from Thai Arts Council, California to visit U.S.A.
Exhibitions
1940 -1942 – Participated in the art exhibition, on the occasion of the Consitution Celebration, Bangkok
1944 – Water Color Painting Exhibition co-operated with the Artist Group of Thailand, Bangkok
1945 – Water Color Painting Exhibition organized by the Japanese Cultural Institute, Bangkok
1948 – 1964 – Water Color Painting Exhibition co-operated with Thai Arts Association, Bangkok
1963 – One-man exhibition, 1st Traditional Painting, Bangapi Gallery, Bangkok
1964 – One-man exhibition, 2nd Traditional Painting, Bangapi Gallery, Bangkok
1965 – One-man exhibition, 3rd Traditional Painting, Bangapi Gallery, Bangkok
1980 – One-man exhibition, “Traditional Painting”, All State Savings Bank, Los Angeles, U.S.A.
1982 – The Bangkok Bicentennial Anniversary Exhibition, Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena, Los Angeles; Forthworth, Texas and at the Thai Temple, Washington D.C., U.S.A.
1995 – The Art Exhibition “Kamol Tasananchalee and His Artist Friends”, National Gallery, Bangkok
1996 – Golden Jubilee Art Exhibition: 50 years of Thai Art on the Occasion of the 50th Anniversary of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Assession to the Throne, Sirikit Convention Center, Bangkok.
Awards and Honours
1942 – 1st Prize, Water Color Painting, Art Exhibition organized by the Cultural Council
1988 – National Artist in Visual Arts (Painting)
1991 – Honorary Doctoral Degree in Visual Arts (Painting), Srinakarinwirote University, Prasarnmit
