|
Exhibition of watercolour: “Marine Themes”
at Le Kaiku Restaurant
Life’s a boat...
Charlee Sodprasert, Thai Artist.
By Ariyada
“Life is a boat, it carries you through a long journey. Boats
are like human beings, fighting rough waves one minute, and smoothly gliding
along the next. A boat weathers just like a body. A boat is free, un-tethered by
its physical surroundings”, according to Professor Charlee Sodprasert, who is
one of Thailand’s greatest water-colour artists, actors, musicians and poets.
Charlee is, besides being a teacher in his own art-school, gallery - and
guest-house owner and a band manager, also the president of the Holiday Artists
Club of Thailand. An all-rounder in a true fact. It is no wonder that so many
Westerners take lessons from Charlee, for his personality, his hospitality and
his all-Thai background are a charming and irresistible combination in a
teacher.
He is also a kind of modern-day Robin Hood, using the fees raised from his
farang students to buy materials to teach the not-so-fortunate neighbourhood
children, and so doing his part to form the next generation of Thai artists.
Again, no wonder that all his guest books are full of praise and cheerful
remarks. Not to mention the music sessions and party atmosphere almost every
evening when neighbours, typical for Thailand, come to sing, act, perform comedy
and so on, to polish off the day with a round of drinks and an array of hot
spicy Thai food that all can afford to bring.
His vivid paintings carry tempestuous reflective images of life, symbolised in
boats, the sea and the sun. The mesmerising repetition of these motifs in
Charlee’s work pops up like an unanswered riddle. An agonising search for peace
exists that is seemingly impossible for him to attain. Some of Charlee’s pieces
show the boat actually transcending its watery environs, to sail in the sky - a
dream of freedom, of Nirvana.
A painter for over 30 years, Charlee was born into an artisans family who’ve
been artisans throughout the Ratanakosin period. Trained at Silapakorn, he has
produced many exhibitions both here in Thailand and abroad, including quite a
few in several museums in California, USA, in England and Scotland.
Charlee, who possesses a zest for life and an ebullience not often seen in
today’s conformist society, is not the typical troubled, insular artist, though
he still is naturally generous and fun-loving. He laments the loss of the Thai
peoples’ artistic qualities, shown in abundance in the temple painting, cloth
and jewellery designs of former periods. He interprets artistically the
country’s rapid ascent to first world status, the enormous changes demanded of
its people, the pitfalls along this relentless journey, the ultimate wish of the
people for a state of freedom and the calm amid the bombardments of material
change. In his poem, “The Rock”, he explores the arching desire to feel anchored
and solid despite life’s destabilising influences.
An exhibition of this great artist can be seen now at Le Kaiku Restaurant in Map
Ta Phut. The Grand Opening will be held on Sunday, 17 August at 5:00 PM. The
Governor of Rayong Prapatong Bampensidh will be cutting the ribbon and many
other honourable guests are going to join this great event. A buffet and
cocktail reception is waiting for all the onlookers and the entrance is free.
The exhibition will last until 17 September 1997 and the normal restaurant
routine shall not be disturbed during this period.
Take time out from your busy schedule to wind down with a bit of real local
colour and visit this exhibition as a quiet sanctuary for creativity in these
hectic times, to stem in a small way the loss of this valuable part of all of
us.
The idea of this exhibition is not only to show the paintings of a great artist,
it also has a meaning of charity, for a big part of the sales will go to
sponsoring to the Children’s Orphanage in Rayong.
Co-sponsors of this exhibition are: B.& J. Service Map Ta Put, Rank Box Service
Map Ta Put, Katzbar Ban Chang, La Havana Ban Chang, Mr. Rob of B.J. Wine Cellar,
Hydro-Gym Phu Luang, Delices de Frances Pattaya, Grayston White and Sparrow Map
Ta Put.
For reservations call Mr. Charley Miannay of Le Kaiku, 267/233-234 Map Ta Phut,
New City Rayong, Tel. & Fax: 607 575. Operating hours from Monday to Saturday
11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., or just simply show
up.
|
|
Shadows of society
by Bohemian Deep Forest
If one has ever taken a train out of Bangkok, one will recognize the
picture we try to draw if we describe the most quaint little tin shack homes
alongside the railway tracks. Perhaps being of African descent the view
touches the writer’s heart as a smell reminds one of a distant place or
memory.
Behind the rubble and garbage lie dozens of these little houses, of all
shapes and sizes, and although the architectural design leaves much to be
desired it is a sight of profound beauty. Fallen down roofs, with broken
little wooden bridges across miniature rice paddies or floating lily beds
amongst a forest of palm and banana trees - this contrast of deep nature and
simplistic hand made homes is a sight enthralling to anyone who can
appreciate ethnic pride and culture as a symbol of art. Where else could one
find a wooden little balcony, an array of drying laundry with a collection
of pretty little potted plants, amidst a back drop of dirty peeling paint
buildings and a beautiful red and white temple with its gold glistening in
the sun?
One thing that never ceases to amaze me with Thai people is their
selflessness. No matter how poor or undernourished they may be, there is
always food, drink, flowers and incense for Buddha.
It is when I view these most adorable handmade homes, thrown together
amongst the tall green grass and smiling palm trees, that I am the most
thankful for the life given to me. When I observe these people who survive
solely on their ability to appreciate the breath of life (for they possess
nothing), I feel alive and spiritually elated. For the smiles on these
people’s faces spread like warmth and it is not to be seen on the busy
business man’s face who drives around in his Mercedes with all his wealth
but who has no time. How can it be that those who have everything dwell on
what is not perfect and those who have so little are satisfied and free...
to the extent of their belief?
|
|
|
