IN a departure from its usual role as a venue for political debates, the Penang State Legislative Assembly building drew a different crowd today as art lovers outnumbered politicians for the opening ceremony of the Thai Contemporary Arts Exhibition in Penang 2024.
The historic exhibition, showcasing 40 art pieces – 20 created by four Thai artists and 20 contributed by renowned art collector Chirathep Senivongs – is being held in a different chamber in the building from today till Feb 29.
Two individuals played a pivotal role in making the art exhibition possible at the building that was built over 200 years ago – State Speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang and Thai consul-general in Penang, Raschada Jiwalai.
Law described the event as a historic Thai art exhibition in a historic building, while Raschada hailed it as a first of its kind in Penang.
Law revealed that Raschada acted swiftly upon his proposal to showcase talented Thai artworks within the assembly building.
“While we believe art is cross-culture, beyond borders, as well as creative and multifaceted, we also believe that the beauty of art needs to be shared. And today, the Thai Contemporary Art exhibition just got it right.
“Thanks to His Excellency (Raschada Jiwalai) for choosing the Penang State Legislative Assembly house for this historic exhibition, the first-ever Thailand art exhibition in this historic building.
“I strongly believe and suggest that many more such exhibitions should be and would be arranged, and the House is ready to welcome our guests and artists.
“It is not an easy life for any artist to craft and create his great works, especially in such a materialistic environment. I extend my respect to all the artists here for your tremendous dedication, patience and unwavering commitment to bringing beauty to us and our society,” Law said in his speech.
Raschada extended his appreciation to Law for his kind support in facilitating the event within the prestigious building.
“This project is one of the new dimensions to promote people-to-people connectivity through cultural diplomacy. It also further enhances the networking of our friends in Thailand who have always played an important role in strengthening cordial relations between Thailand and Malaysia, especially Thailand and Penang.
“I look forward to the opportunity to strengthen people-to-people connectivity between Thailand and Malaysia through cultural diplomacy. Hope you will enjoy the beauty of Thai art,” Rashada said before the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
He also expressed special acknowledgement to Chirathep Senivongs, an art collector and prominent figure in the stock exchange of Thailand, for bringing the famous collections to be displayed in Penang.
Chirathep, who presented on the topic “Democratization of Art Appreciation: A Collector’s Personal Perspective, particularly admires a painting he acquired from a Thai artist. This artwork, currently being displayed at the State Legislative Assembly building, depicts a young boy and girl on a countryside farm in school uniform.
“This painting represents something I believe will fade away in five or 10 years. We may no longer see children in school uniforms in the countryside, and this aspect of life will vanish over time.
“But art serves as a testament to what happened in the past. Art holds the history,” Chirathep emphasised.
He is not merely a passionate art lover but also contributes to the growth of art students and young artists in Thailand and abroad by providing opportunities for their artworks to reach new audiences.
Rather than establishing his own gallery, Chirathep said his first project started last August by loaning 17 pieces of his collection to decorate a luxury Thai restaurant at an art hotel in Bangkok.
“The chef there wanted to create a new menu of 10 Thai dishes and chose artworks to enhance the dining ambience and experience,” he said.
Later in November last year, Chirathep embarked on an exhibition of 66 pieces that were the works of Thai artists and students for five weeks at the Thailand Creative and Design Centre (TCDC).
He said with the help of a friend curator and interior designer, they transformed a blank dark hall into a wonderful home gallery of an art collector. And by remarkable chance, the exhibition caught the eyes of Raschada, ultimately paving the way for some of the art pieces to be displayed at the Penang State Legislative Assembly building.
Chirathep then focused his talk on the future possibilities for promoting art in Thailand and Asia.
While art galleries and exhibitions are mostly located in big cities, he advocated for the promotion of art activities by artists in smaller towns to big cities.
He presented two cases.
The first case, he said, lies the southern province of Thailand known as Pattalung.
“Pattalung economy is small but the creativity and works of local artists are not. Local artists create works based on content linked to community life and natural surroundings.
“Pattalung can become a venue to host art exhibitions connecting artists of Penang and Thai artists in the south of Thailand,” said Chirathep. He expressed his affection for a small district of Pattalung, called Tale Noi (Little Sea), and shared his experiences with an artist whose work is currently on display at the Penang State Legislative Assembly building today.
The second case, he said, lies the northern province of Thailand known as Phrae.
“Phrae is among the lowest-income provinces in the north. Yet when you visit Phrae, you will find that people there are happy with the unpretentious local ways of life. Phrae boasts famous artisans in indigo clothing, wood carving, and local beverages made from sticky rice.
“I believe when people come to Phrae, they can surely appreciate the art of living in a serene environment. Phrae is therefore a perfect choice for artists, local and international, to come to work under art residency programmes.”
Accompanying Chirathep to the Thai Contemporary Art 2024 are artists Jome Munpolsri, Tanupon En-on, Chalah Chaveesuk and Pranai Kasemtavornisilpa.
Among the dignitaries present at the opening ceremony were Lim Siew Khim, state executive councillor for Social Development, Welfare and non-Islamic Religious Affairs; Jason H’ng Mooi Lye, state executive councillor for Local Government, Town and Country Planning; Kawaguchi Yoshiyasu, consul-general of Japan in Penang; Ding Qiao, vice-consul general of China in Penang; Datuk Lio Chee Yeong, Norway and Denmark honorary consul in Penang; Michael van Crombrugge, honorary consul of Belgium in Penang; and Suratchaya Palawongse, deputy consul-general of Thailand in Penang.
The Thai Contemporary Art 2024 exhibition is open daily from 10.30am to 5pm until Feb 29.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Law Suun Ting