200YEARS-010724 - Flipbook - Page 232
200 YEARS
JOURNEY
THROUGH
THAI
THAI
MODERN ART
HISTORY
the Pheu Thai Party leading. Srettha Thavisin from Pheu Thai became Prime
Minister, with Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin9s daughter, as the current party
leader. During this period, the dissemination of politically reflective art evolved
alongside social media technologies. Many young artists utilized spaces outside
galleries for expression, including street art, social activities, and artistic creations
in protest areas, both online and offline. Amidst the diversity of ideological
stances, art flourished and stimulated societal reflection on public participation
in directing and advancing social dynamics.
National and international art exhibitions have been crucial in driving the
growth and development of contemporary art for over 70 years, starting
post-World War II. Numerous galleries were opened, mostly functioning as art
exhibition rooms for modern art and souvenir-like art, though many had short
operational spans, continuously opening and closing. A pivotal gallery in Thai
art history was the Silpa Bhirasri Art Centre, opened in 1974, which showcased
contemporary art by Thai and international artists until its closure in 1990. The
National Gallery, established in 1977, and the Silpakorn University Art Center
in 1979 were significant state-run galleries. The private sector also played an
The trend of seeking Thai identity has become a prominent issue that increasing role in contemporary Thai art, organizing art competitions like those
contemporary Thai artists are exploring and expressing in various forms. Artists by Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn Bank, and opening many private galleries in
and designers focus on showcasing a new Thai identity through the lens and shopping malls and hotels during the 1980s, driven by economic prosperity.
perspectives of modern society, which are more flexible and closely connected
to everyday life, compared to the state-dictated notion of
