200YEARS-010724 - Flipbook - Page 231
art, seen as a reflection of artistic freedom, was marked by its freshness, bold
experimentation, and emphasis on innovative techniques, free from traditional
forms and narratives. This was in stark contrast to Socialist Realism, which was
promoted as the representative art of communism4. In Thailand, the spread of
creative approaches and the ideas of the free world significantly influenced Thai
artists. Many progressive artists, both inside and outside of Silpakorn University,
began creating Abstract works. The growing popularity of printmaking, which
focused on technical experimentation, also supported the rise of Abstract art.
This included both pure abstraction and distorted forms derived from nature5.
The political struggle between the two global superpowers also influenced
political ideologies in Thailand. The younger generation, who had greater access
to education and new ideas, began to question the decline of democracy
and the economic downturn6. The ideological clash between the left and
right led to conflicts, violence, protests, suppression, and the deaths of many
people, especially during the October 1973 and 1976 events,7 which ended
in bloodshed and the defeat of the left8. These events led a group of Thai
artists to focus on
