Suwan Lamom is a traditional Thai artist with strong professionalism in Thai patterns. After graduating with a master’s degree in Thai Arts at the Faculty of Painting, Sculpture and Graphic Arts at Silpakorn University, Lamom has been creating works of art continuously. Until now, his works present a unique style of contemporary Thai painting, inspired by cultural arts, beliefs, and oriental philosophical ideas. It reflects the story of goodness, through belief, faith, and hope.

Background

“I was born and raised in a family of jewelry makers and goldsmiths,” Lamom says. With the experience of witnessing his family business everyday, Thai craftsmanship was instilled in him since childhood. “I am impressed and admire the delicate and meticulous Thai arts of ancient Thai craftsmen,” Lamom expresses. As a young child, he strayed away from normal kid activities of running around and playing — he sat and drew instead. Thai pattern books had always appealed to him and his father would encourage his strong interest in this area, which led to his practice. “I remember from about 7-8 years old, I studied other areas and realised that I wasn’t good at it and I didn’t like it either. But with art, it had always stood out in particular,” He recalls.

When teachers from elementary school years saw Lamom’s skill and talent, he was supported by them to enter various contests and received an award for it. The fact that people see and admire his creative abilities made him feel proud and was the driving force for further self improvement. The artist became happier and more interested after graduating from middle school with no subjects or other interests at all, so he chose to pursue vocational education in art. “I feel fortunate to have met a teacher who always gave me advice and experience. It is the support that nourishes us,” He comments on the experience.

The first teacher who supported Lamom during the vocational school was a Thai artist and had graduated with a degree in Thai art. “The teacher saw a glimpse in me because the patterns drawn in my work captured their attention, so I was pushed to submit the work to a contest at a young age,” The artist claims. For a while, he lived with the pressure of continuing mechanic work and continuing the family business, but instead found that the knowledge needed in doing so can push him to be a better artist. Due to his background in this field, he recognises his strong foundation and utilises this as a tool to work on his art. “I, myself, also practiced as a craftsman. I learned the job in different steps. It is considered a skill that requires expertise and detail. I quite like it — it has a part that overlaps with being an artist,” He finishes.

Concept

Lamom creates his art based on the topic of Buddhism. As an individual from the North of Thailand, he focuses on the heavy culture and tradition that he has seen through his life, most of which are in strong correlation with the Buddhist religion. The artist grew up going to temples and attending events there without thinking of it as a sacred place, but as his visits became more frequent, he unconsciously grew a connection to the temple. He developed a liking towards the murals and art that appeared on the temple walls, narrating a historical story that will attract the eyes of many. “Seeing these ancient monuments urges me to bring this specialty and express it through my art. That’s why my work will focus on conveying patterns related to faith,” He talks about his concept thoroughly. He views his work as a way to enhance Thai patterns rather than a replication of it.

“My intention in creating art and being an artist is to publish more work. To share my experience with others through art — perhaps organising a solo exhibition to accumulate all my thoughts into canvases is my main goal,” He states. In terms of content, the artist creates no boundaries. For him, it depends on experience and his influences, inspirations and encounters at the time. However, the main core will always be Thai art; this is to reflect the roots of good culture, tradition and beauty.

Technique

Lamom’s work is mainly acrylic paint, who chose to use this type of paint because it has opaque qualities like ancient dust paint and can even be used as a replacement — giving an effect that is similar to powder paint. This allows the artist to connect patterns easier and collect detailed lines in Thai patterns as well as dust colors. “Thai art has a distinctive feature in the sharpness and complete opacity of the lines, therefore opaque colors are more responsive and appropriate,” He says.

The canvas that supports the painting I mostly use 100% cotton, however the most important part is surface preparation. The artist uses different techniques to do whatever it takes to make the canvas as smooth as possible. “Personally, I would have a coating and primer first because in the past, most Thai paintings were painted on cement walls. To have a smooth surface skin, according to the ancient traditions, we would need chalk mixed with tamarind seed glue — I haven’t used this technique,” Lamom points out. His view on art is that it also is a science that shows human wisdom. It can be said that there are no living beings other than humans who know art and know how to show it. “Without art, the world would be out of balance since it gives tenderness to our lives. As a creative person, I want only the freedom to express our thoughts and feelings to be evident,” Lamom concludes his thoughts beautifully.

Awards

• 1998 Outstanding prize in the painting contest “Tour Thai, Rak Thai” by Radio Company Aviation of Thailand
• 1999 Honorable Mention for Painting Contest “Inheriting Thai Art and Cultural Heritage” by Rattanasin Bank
• 2000 3rd Prize, Bualuang Bronze Medal 24th Traditional Thai Painting by Bangkok Bank Foundation
• 2009 3rd Prize, Bualuang Bronze Medal 31st Traditional Thai Painting by Bangkok Bank Foundation
• 2010 2nd Prize for Supporting Krung Thai Bank, 56th National Exhibition of Art
• 2011 Selected as representatives of 10 artists to exhibit at the exhibition at the Consulate General in Los Angeles.
• 2012 Invited to submit works for auction Project in honor of the artist by the artist National Visual Arts at Arnoma 3 room, Arnoma Hotel Bangkok
• 2012 Invited to submit works to the auction Project from Lanna to Bodh Gaya at Siri Hotel Panna Chiang Mai
• 2014 Invited to submit works for auction Contribution Project for Chalermprakiat 48th Birthday Anniversary School, Lamphun Province, at Siripanna Hotel, Chiang Mai

Exhibitions

• 1997 Rajamangala Relations Exhibition
• 1997 The 21st Bualuang Paintings Exhibition
• 1997 Exhibition of student works of the Department of Fine Arts Payap Campus
• 1998 The 13th PTT Art Exhibition
• 1998 Exhibition of paintings in honor of His Majesty the King, Kasikorn Bank
• 1999 The 9th Art Thesis Exhibition, Faculty of Fine Arts, Rajamangala Institute of Technology, Thanyaburi
• 2002 The 4th Panasonic Contemporary Painting Exhibition
• 2003 The 5th Panasonic Contemporary Painting Exhibition
• 2003 Thai Living Painting Exhibition The Grand Hotel Bangkok
• 2005 Heritage Club Thai way of life exhibition
• 2005 The 2nd Amata Art Awards Exhibition
• 2005 The King in the Artist’s Heart Exhibition, I.C.C. International Public Company Limited
• 2005 The 27th Bualuang Paintings Exhibition
• 2006 Lanna Art Exhibition – Lan Xang at Rim Nan Art Gallery, Nan Province.
• 2006 Thai Art Exhibition by the Department of Thai Art at the Faculty of Painting Art Gallery sculptures and prints Silpakorn University
• 2006 The 17th Toshiba Art Exhibition
• 2007 Artist Face Exhibition Silom Galleria
• 2007 Mong Sing Through Art Exhibition Central World, Bangkok
• 2007 The 18th Toshiba Art Exhibition
• 2009 Aesthetic of Body Exhibition Art Gallery Silom
• 2010 The 32nd Bualuang Paintings Exhibition
• 2010 Sanjai Saiyai Fine Arts Exhibition by Fine Arts Alumni Club, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna
• 2011 The Power of Microsilp Exhibition, Gallery Panisa
• 2011 The 8th Ched Yod Group Exhibition, Sam King Art Gallery
• 2012 Art Contribution Exhibition with National Artists
• 2012 The 9th Jed Yod Group Exhibition, Poh Chang Art Gallery, Bangkok
• 2012 THAI ART36 Year Anniversary Thai Art Department Exhibition
• 2012 36 years of learning towards the creation and development of Thai art at the Queen Sirikit Art Gallery Her Majesty the Queen, Bangkok
• 2013 Invited to participate in the Traveling National Artist Program Investigate the arts in the southern region, Krabi Province.
• 2013 The 10th Ched Yod Group Exhibition, Chiang Mai Art and Culture Center
• 2014 Opening exhibition of the Andaman Art Center at the Andaman Cultural Learning Center. Krabi Province
• 2014 The 11th Ched Yod Group Exhibition, Chiang Mai Art and Culture Center