At 31, Wal has successfully dabbled into the art industry as an artist, etching printmaker, curator, and fine art production manager for today’s leading global artists. He has won several international awards from countries such as Japan, Russia and Canada. His award winning artwork received massive recognition – all were mezzotint works. His talent for contemporary oil painting has shone through recent years, building a reputable name for himself amongst his collectors. Not only Wal, but his younger brother’s Kit’s printmaking sit in the collection of Tim Cook, founder of Apple and famous architect, Bill Bensley, while his other works are presented in prestigious museums and institutions. His skills may derive more from the genes of his father, Kraisak who has won several national awards and gained a heavy reputation since the late 80’s. 

Background

The artist studied at the College of Fine Art, and graduated in Graphic Arts at the Painting and Sculpture Faculty at Silpakorn University, both in Bangkok, Thailand. After he graduated in 2014 he built his house along with a gallery and printmaking studio called Kalwit Studio & Gallery in the center of Bangkok city. He worked as a curator, art director and then passed his gallery business to his brother. Then he turned back to become a full-time artist. 

“I can’t lie, I must say that my father is partially the reason I became an artist. I think that many children already like to draw and I was unsurprisingly one of them. I was actually lucky to not be deprived of it when I got home — it almost felt like I was a free artist of my own, just looking to improve and get better each day. That was all I cared about at the time,” says Wal. He wasn’t aiming to be an artist or had the goal of pursuing art, everything came naturally and effortlessly for him. It is a gift. Now that he is a successful, award-winning artist, it was now clear to him that art was all he ever turned to when he was finding a career path for his life. “No matter what business or what project I want to start in my life, I always fall back to art. That’s how I realized that it will always be art,” He proudly shares.

Concept

His work style before 2014 was a psychoanalytic style, which is primarily discussing one’s own internal state. The work that came out of the collections were related to humans and an individual’s thought process and their differences. He questions the things we think about, which can be very eye opening as it pushes us to think, we are pushing ourselves out from within. The artist is completely aware of the complexity and emotional sensitivity of this concept, making it understandably difficult for the viewers to comprehend. “This is a topic that I can’t explain logically. People that understand will get it immediately, so I can’t expect people to understand it just like that,” He points out. After this period of time, his work became more surreal, thus making it more relatable to the audience. “Symbolism was quite heavy in my work — I find that it is universally understood by everybody,” He states. Works in relation to the external factors of life came in; bringing forth different cases that sample this. Some works discuss long, persistent emotional attachments while some discuss Buddhist concepts such as the cycle of rebirth and other religious philosophies derived from South Asia. It is a matter of belief and universal truth. These topics seeped into his paintings as well. 

Wal’s work exposes this inclination, reflecting back our predisposition toward choosing something shining over something quiet. His paintings are double edged swords, inviting an appreciation of beauty while exposing the complexity and the problems built within today’s society. His work is about the surface of things. The surface of garments, the surface of the financial and political institutions, that barely reveal the deeper meaning contained within themselves. Wal’s work is the culmination of years and years of mark making, expert apprenticeship, production and study. Recently his work was shown in Bangkok, New York and Singapore.

Technique

“I would have to give credit for the interest in printmaking to my father’s work. He gave me the freedom to do it and supported me with the immense knowledge he has once he picked up on my passion for it,” Wal reminisces. Although his knowledge comes from a professional printmaker, he was never taught first-hand how to perform the technique: “It was more of a conversation — an exchange of ideas and a discussion. He would give me advice and feedback and I would ask him for constructive input. It felt like teamwork instead of mentorship,” He recalls.

In his work, he always has a picture beforehand, exhibiting all the details of the results and how he wants them to look. From the perspective and angle to the highlights and shadows of the shade, he emphasises every corner of his vision with mezzotint; a technique that he sees as most suitable for his aesthetic and satisfies his enjoyment for blending shadows. He later started experimenting with oil colour, soon to realise the potential in this market afterwards as well. “Well, we all look at trends. Another part is that it is another form of work that I can do, I just haven’t had the chance so I tried it one day,” He explains. Since his school days, he has been drawn to the notion of mass, volume and three dimensional works, so rather than caring about the technicalities, he cares more for the feeling received from viewing his pieces. Due to these specific interests, Wal also has a career in sculpting — when working on drawings and printmaking, there will always be a glimpse of a sculpture inserted in. Additionally, his paintings are influenced by print, particularly through the shadows and darkness of the work. The charm lies in the polishing. Scraping the surface of the mold before printing gives a peaceful and beautiful finish to the end result. This is a step the artist enjoys doing as well.

Awards

• 2011. “Fouth Prize”The 8th Kochi International Triennial Exhibition of Prints 2011, Japan
• 2011. Silver Medal-the 28th Exhibition of Contemporary art by Young Artists 2011, Thailand
• 2012. The 3rd NBC Meshtec Tokyo Screen Print Biennial., Japan
• 2012. “Bronze Medal” National Exhibition of art in Thailand :Print Making 2012
• 2012. Silver Medal-the 29th Exhibition of Contemporary art by Young Artists 2012, Thailand
• 2012. “Second Prize” Young Thai Artist Award 2012, Thailand
• 2013. Silver Medal-the 29th Exhibition of Contemporary art by Young Artists 2013, Thailand
• 2014. Silver Prize: AMARA Stay with Art, Thailand

Exhibitions

• 2012. Art Exhibition “LANDING” at Brown Sugar The Jazz Boutique, 2012. The 17th DA DUN Fine Arts Exhibition in Taichung City, Printmaking 2012, Taiwan
• 2012. “PRINT Resonance”Musashino Art University Museum & Library 2012, Japan
• 2013. the Second International Mezzotint Festival-2013 biennial exhibition, Ekaterinburg, Russia
• 2013. Guanlan international Print Biennial-2013, China
• 2013. the 59th National exhibition of art, Thailand
• 2013. 16th Biennale Internationale De La Gravure De Sarcelles 2013, France
• 2014. 9th Kochi International Triennial Exhibition, Japan
• 2014. The International Biennial Print Exhibition, R.O.C. 2014, Taiwan
• 2014. 17th Germen International Exhibition of Graphic Art Frechen., Germany
• 2015. Sumlub13 Group Exhibition at Draftboard co-working space
• 2016. LEOPOLIS-International Mini Prints Exhibition of Graphic Arts, Ukraine
• 2016. Origin of light (Origenes de la luz) : Mezzotint prints resonance project at Mexico
• 2016. Point of Views exhibition at GALLERY LOUIZA ANTWERP, Belgium
• 2018. Mezzotinta Internacional Exhibition, Mexico
• 2018. “Carpeta Grafica de Mezzotinta” Exchange, Mexico
• 2018. “Price of Life” Solo exhibition by Wal Chirachaisakul at Kalwit Studio & Gallery
• 2018. “171003” Queen’s Gallery Bangkok
• 2018. “True will” Exhibition at Chin’s Gallery
• 2018. “PRICE OF LIFE” solo exhibition at G13 Gallery, Malaysia
• 2018. “FACE VALUE” group exhibition at G13 Gallery, Malaysia
• 2019. Silapix Grand opening exhibition
• 2019. “ADD Project” at Bridge Art Space
• 2019. Hotel Art Fair 2019 at W Bangkok
• 2019. “M3ZZOTINT” Exhibition by Chirachaisakul at Rivercity
• 2019. Participate with Davidson Galleries, USA
• 2020. Exhibit at STPI Gallery, Singapore.
• 2020. “SEDEKAD” Exhibition at G13 Gallery, Malaysia
• 2020. Gallery’s Grand Opening Exhibition at Aurum Gallery
• 2020. Attended Permanent Collection of 129 Museum (129 Contemporary)
• 2020. PITH 2020 at Pineapple Print Press
• 2021. El Lenguaje de la Mezzotinta 20-20, Mexico
• 2021. Mango Art Festival at Lhong1919
• 2022. NUDE group exhibition at G13 gallery, Malaysia