Supot Kunanukun known as ‘Sit’ graduated from Silpakorn University, a famous art school in Thailand. After 10 years of experience, he started doing soil art which is an ancient method but he applies new techniques to make it last longer. His unique style and his charming story-telling of each painting will make the audience drawn to the world of soil.

If there is a person who always brings a bag to pick soil from the ground or who feels happy everytime he sees soil poured and mixed with water – that person must be “Supot Kunanukun”, an artist who uses earth clay as a raw material for doing his artwork. Adapting with the wisdom of the ancient method and the wisdom of an artisan teacher which has been inherited for hundreds of years, it became a unique piece of work, Kunanukun shows internal delight and growth.

Supot Kunanukun acquired Thai painting skills from Silpakorn University. After graduating, he spent his life being an art teacher at Rung Arun School, an alternative school where he started to learn and understand his inner self. After 12 years of teaching, he decided to become a fully independent artist making work for Terengganu State Palace, Malaysia, and had the opportunity to travel to Dubai to do art for many years.

Style

It has been almost 10 years of Supot Kunanukun’s life that has been intentionally recording and consciously perceiving various senses, which has driven him to start making artwork with soil.

“Soil used as a material of art is nothing new. Appearing in old school paintings, this natural medium remains charmful and inspirational for applying this traditional technique to contemporary paintings.”

Supot said that “Many people keep asking that painted artwork with soil not going to last long. However, it’s not always correct. We must explain that the ancient wisdom I use is the wise technique of the Ayutthaya period, in which the color texture is not just on the wall surface but actually penetrates into the wall. Even nowadays, there are new innovations such as a non-glossy coating that penetrates into the paint, helping the texture of the painting not change and stay longer.

The first collection of Supot Kunanukun were made from the soil that can be easily found in Chiang Mai. It is ‘Yellow Soil’ from Hang Dong in Chiang mai province which this type of dust is famously used for making clay statues. Just one handful of soil can produce a 2 meter artwork.

Supot said “Now I have begun to observe and notice surroundings more than before, especially the ground to look for soil – I’m happy to look at them . Once, on a trip to Ajanta Caves in India, we collected a little bit of the soil from the caves and put it back in bags. We also left a little money on the ground to pay respect and so no one will come back to claim it (laughs). Every painting can identify where the soil was collected. It is an expression of gratitude for the land.”

Soil art doesn’t give you the hot and flashy sensation as acrylic paint, but it gives a feeling of intimacy and warmth especially for city people. Soil paint may be a part that helps to create a bond that connects humans closer to nature by just looking.

For Supot as a clay artist, the soil had given him miraculous happiness which made it easier for him to see the value of the little things.

“Instead of running around looking for something more for myself, It turns out staying with the soil is fun and joyful. By just looking at the soil dust and those rocks is more than enough for me. I’m happy to see the water pouring and mixing with the ground. It also smells like fresh rain,” said Supot.

Awards

• 2010/2012 International Photographer’s Honor Award “Narisnuwatiwong Day”

Exhibitions

• 2022 A Group Fresh Air exhibition by AIR (Artists in Residence) ,RCB Galleria River city bangkok
• 2021 Portrait Prize 2021 River city Bangkok
• 2019 Solo exhibition “Time” at Baan Tuek Art Center, Chiang Mai Province
• 2018 Group show “Bangkok Hall” Bacc, Bangkok Art and Culture Center
• 2017 Participated in Asia Plus exhibition .In the hearts of Thailand throughout the world” The Queen’s Gallery