The Art Professor from the long famous Art University, Silpakorn. He graduated with both a bachelor and master’s degree majoring painting from the Silpakorn University. Then, receiving an opportunity to teach there which he could do both teaching and creating artworks. “Teaching and creating artwork are somehow the same to me as providing a chance to always study and keep improving while being able to deliver to others”, said professor. Moreover, Professor Kesprasit has been drawn to literature. That’s why he usually compliments his painting with poetry. “Art and words are mediums that are able to completely represent the truth, Dharma”, said him. Not considering himself as a professional artist even with a long list of artworks created, but as a person who consistently studies by journaling life lessons and representing them all through art and literature.

Background

Growing up in a local living province which either a field life or being government official were the only understandable choices, Surachart with the love of art since his youth had chosen another path for the future. He preferred art related degrees both in vocational and high vocational degrees as those were the gateway to a deeper nurturing to art. “I broke the most common cycle of the era that every graduated one must pursue a teaching degree, the bottom of my heart has always known its will, so I am pursuing what would mean for me instead of what society would appreciate”, said Professor Kesprasit. “In those days, I had no idea about Silpakorn University but Poh-Chang Academy of Arts. So I started there and my skill had been sharpened for many years. Studying at Poh-Chang Academy of Arts had introduced me to the best stop for a further art career as well as a big melting pot that significantly created Thai artists, Silpakorn University”, added the artist.

After receiving the high vocational degree, Professor Kesprasit had enrolled at Silpakorn University majoring in painting. Which firstly to a bachelor’s degree, then followed by a master’s degree. And finally he became an art professor there who not only created artworks but also artists for decades until his retirement in 2022.

Moreover, Professor Kesprasit has been drawn to literature which novelette is first in his favor. “Writing is another pleasure of mine, as well as art that it’s natural to me”, explained him. Anyway in pairing words with his painting, he usually prefers poetry which is also another talented skill of his. His written topics usually come from circumstances around him, his relatives, or social circle. Moreover, the main idea often reflects Dharma which is not just an aspect of life but the truth he has always valued.

All of his life, he has painted and written but never once considered himself as a professional artist or writer. For him, he is a person who consistently studies by journaling life lessons and representing them all through art and literature. Moreover, receiving a great opportunity to use those expression’s creations to teach as well as create further Thai artists as a university professor. “My works consist of the painting part and poetry part in which the main idea reflects one another. My work is my journal as they are the representation of life perspective and what I had learnt in each period. My works are simply a life recorder about Dharma, The truth”, concluded Professor Kesprasit.

Concept

Buddhism is not just one of the religions but the record of the truth within nature. “A science I say that was discovered and understood a long time ago. Clarifying the secret behind nature and its truth. Making sense of all happening throughout space and time”, said Professor Kesprasit. He compares quantum physics to Buddhism as well as how quantum physics wiped out the older theory to how enlightenment shed away ignorance. “Quantum physics explains that inside each object, there are moving waves. Then going deeper, left only emptiness. Just like Buddhism that everything is nothing but intangible. Anything is always continually changeable, compounded, and no truthful”, added the artist. According to Dharma, each living creation could be divided into two parts comprising mind and body. The mind is in control over the body, a starting point that thinks, creates, and formulates the body itself. Moreover, the source of all outer behaviors. That is how significant the mind is and always will be. Every mind belonging to every living being has its own will and ability to work for example; to love, to hate, to be passionate. Both itself and its will are abstract, but no longer until they formulate those outer behaviors. Behaviors are constructed from 5 natural elements that also serve as the awarer as well including eyes (to see), nose (to smells), mouth (to communicate and to tastes), ears (to hear), and skin (to feels). Thus acknowledging all actions, the mind then starts the reaction continually and endlessly.

Education

• Bachelor of Fine Arts (Painting), Faculty of Painting, Sculpture & Graphic Art, Silpakorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
• Master of Fine Arts (Painting) Graduate School of Silpakorn University, Bangkok, Thailand

Awards

• 1981 “Honorable mention”, 4th Lanna Youth Art Competition (Vocational degree), Chiang Mai, Thailand
• 1982 “The 1st Prize Winner”, 5th Lanna Youth Art Competition (Vocational degree), Chiang Mai, Thailand
• 1997 “20 Short stories”, Nai-in Award (1997), Bangkok, Thailand
• 2009 “Popular Award Presentations”: Creative research “The creation of Visual Arts Poetry” In the First Art & Culture Forum: 21 – 22 August 2009, Khonkaen University, Thailand
• 2019 “The 19th Silpa Bhirasri Creativity Grants”, Silpakorn University, Bangkok, Thailand

Exhibitions

• 2011 The “1st ASEAN Art and Civilization Symposium” November 29th to December 2nd, 2011 Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
• 2011 “The 7th International Art Festival Workshop in Thailand 2011″, Rajamangala University of Technology Rattanakosin, Bangkok, Thailand
• 2012 “The Art Exhibition 8th International Art Festival and Art Workshop” 14 – 16 February 2012, Rajamangala University of Technology Rattanakosin, Bangkok, Thailand
• 2013 “The Art Exhibition 9th International Art Festival and Art Workshop” 21 – 24 January 2013, Raja Mangala University of Technology Rattanakosin, Bangkok, Thailand
• 2013 “The 1st ASEAN Art workshop” 29 January -1 February 2013, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
• 2015 “Kamol Tassananchalee and Friends 71 Years Anniversary Art Exhibition”, Roadrunner Contemporary Art Center, Bangkok, Thailand
• 2016 “The 11th International Art Festival Workshop in Thailand 2016″, Rajamangala University of Technology Rattanakosin, Bangkok, Thailand
• 2017 “The 1st International Art Festival Workshop in Thailand 2017″, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Chiang Mai, Thailand
• 2018 “The 2nd International Art Festival Workshop in Thailand 2018″, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Solo Exhibitions

• 2012 “The Poetry Visual Arts Art Exhibition” 16 – 31 August 2018, Naresuan University Art Gallery, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
• 2018 “The Poetry Visual Arts of Mental Physics Circumstance, From Quantum to Buddhist Morality Art Exhibition” 16 – 31 March 2018, Naresuan University Art Gallery, Wisut Kasat Building, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
• 2021 – 2022 “The Poetry Visual Arts Art Exhibition (กวีนิพนธ์ทรรศนะเมธี ร้อยกรองวจี สุนทรียรสอลังการฯ)” 15 December 2021 – 15 January 2022, Naresuan University Art Gallery, Wisut Kasat Building, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand