Tour of Four Leading Thai Artists"
In what is believed to be the first time ever, art lovers were able to visit with four celebrated artists, for the annual fundraising event for their scholarship programme, organised by Soroptimist International Dusit Club.
The “Art from Inside” Tour visited the private homes and studios of Chatchai Puipia, Pinaree Sanpitak, and Jakkai Siributr. The fourth luminary was the late Misiem Yipintsoi.
The “Art from Inside” Tour took place on
Saturday, February 27, 2010.
Participants departed from Sathorn Thani Complex, and were transported from one artist house to the other by air-conditioned minivans.
Proceeds from the “Art from Inside” Tour will go towards funding the charity and scholarship programmes of the Soroptimist International Dusit Club, which includes more than 100 student scholarships.
The Club has developed a reputation for innovative fundraising events in recent years including their “House and Garden” biennial tours of exclusive residences around Bangkok, and the boat excursions highlighting riverine living. The “Gently down the Stream” river tour, which culminated in a full garden party at the private residence of a generous SI Dusit Patron on the banks of the Nakhon Chaisri River, has been fondly remembered.
About Soroptimist International Dusit Club:
Soroptimist International Dusit, is a business women’s service group, belonging to a wider organisation involving 125 countries around the world. Our personal mission statement is: “To ensure that Thai women and girls enjoy equity and equality, live in safe and healthy environments, have access to education, and have leadership and practical skills.” These goals also relate to the U.N. millennium goals for 2009-2011.
In the last 10 years, the Dusit club has not only helped over 1500 women and children, but has also been involved with education for adults from devastated villages, after the Tsunami. In recent years, we have been part of a scheme to help with the medical educational needs of older students, who are about to get their Ph D. In cooperation with other charitable organizations, e.g. “The Queen Sirikit Centre For Breast Cancer”, we are joining in the process of making all women and girls aware of looking after their own bodies.
Scholarships has always been our main purpose, but we now find ourselves being able to branch out, as we meet with young women, using our own personal skills, education, and businesses to mentor and further enhance the lives of so many we come in contact with.
About the artists:Misiem Yipintso
Regarded by many as the pioneer of a new wave of Thai art, which has developed since the 1950’s. Misiem only began painting at the age of 42 out of personal interest. Although she had no formal training, she was the first artist to win a Gold Medal at the National Exhibition of Art for the third consecutive time in 1954. Later she began to devote her time to sculpture and the support of art in Thailand. Her work can be found in museums, galleries and private collections all over the world. Misiem was a wonderful inspiration to women. She excelled in sculpture and painting. For the “Art from Inside” event, her sculptures (which normally are at the Sculpture Garden in Nakhon Pathom) will be on display at her residence, especially in her garden, which this talented artist preferred for its setting.
Chatchai Puipia
Known for his concern with the materialism in today’s society Chatchai is an Artist with a conscience who is averse to following trends and really does believe that he should paint to express himself and not for the money. His works certainly do buck the trends and can be at times humorous and certainly provocative. His 1995 “Siamese Smiles” series are largely self-portraits with a satirical reference to the “Land of Smiles” and feature grinning faces with strange eyes. Most notable is Chatchai’s self portrayal, as if he’s staring at his reflection in the mirror. Those facial expressions and body contortions are exaggerated and humorous or repulsive, but they capture attention and provoke interpretation. Such is the intimate view of Chatchai about himself and the world he’s in. He is versatile and uses a wide range of mediums in his painting and his sculptures. Chatchai’s works are well known in the International Art world.
Pinaree Sanpitak
Pinaree Sanpitak is one of Thailand’s leading and most prolific contemporary practitioners, as well as one of the country’s few internationally recognized woman artists. Perhaps best known for her visualization and rendering of women’s breasts through drawings, paintings and three-dimensional installations, Pinaree describes her art practice as “an evolving self-defining and self-healing process”.
Pinaree’s works have been included in major art exhibitions in Australia, Japan and Belgium. She is the embodiment of femininity and versatility, claiming, “I’m extricating the woman from inside me."
Jakkai Siributr
Jakkai Siributr is a specialist in textile design and illustration. His works have gained increasing international recognition, affirming that this medium need not be restricted to technical application or relegated to being a “craft”. Jakkai raised the awareness of textile in art to the conceptual sphere. This insightful craftsman has interwoven traditional themes and symbols into the fabric of modern Thai society.
He admits it’s easier to convey his feelings through painting than through textiles, bur the tactile expression can be more gratifying. His latest collection will be exhibited at the Tyler Rollins Fine art gallery in New York.
