200YEARS-010724 - Flipbook - Page 33
large-scale sculptural works. Feroci9s tenure in Siam facilitated exchanges of
artistic knowledge with several influential patrons of arts and culture, laying
the groundwork for modern Thai art by blending traditional Thai elements with
contemporary Western influences.
During King Rama VII9s reign, economic difficulties led to a reduction in the
hiring of foreign artists, giving Thai artists a greater role in the arts. Many Thai
artists used this period to gain education, develop their skills, and create art
that blended traditional Thai styles with Western techniques. Notable artists
included Phra Soralak Likhit, known for his realistic portrait paintings, who
was commissioned to paint portraits of the King and the royal family. Nam
Suwannapat was one of the artists influenced by Phra Soralak Likhit. In 1932,
during the 150th anniversary of the Chakri Dynasty, a significant restoration
project was undertaken. This project focused on restoring temples, sanctuaries,
and murals at Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram (Temple of the Emerald Buddha).
The murals, created during the reign of King Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulalok
(King Rama I), had suffered damage over time and needed repainting. Phra
Dheva Bhinimmit (Chine Tiemsilapachai) took on the role of head supervisor
and artist. The knowledge and experience of Phra Dheva Bhinimmit and the
artists who collaborated on painting this work, combining their expertise in
traditional Thai art with their understanding of Western artistic principles, resulted
in several murals in the cloisters of Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram displaying a
blending of traditional Thai artistic styles with formal Western artistic techniques.
At the same time, in early 1937, Corrado Feroci (Silpa Bhirasri) conceived the
idea of establishing an advanced European-style art school. Initially, this plan
did not receive support. However, in 1934, Feroci9s vision was realized with
the establishment of such a school, supported by Phra Sarot Rattananimman,
Major-General Luang Wichitwathakan, and Phraya Anuman Rajadhon. The art
school, emphasizing Western art subjects integrated with Thai art principles,
revolutionized the art scene in Thailand. The training it provided allowed Feroci
to take on government commissions without hiring foreign artisans. Some of
Feroci9s significant works, created with the help of students from this school,
include the Democracy Monument (1939) and Victory Monument (1941), which
stand as testaments to the transformative impact of the school. In early 1937,
the Fine Arts Department organized an exquisite art contest to celebrate the
Constitution in the area of the Fine Arts Department. Most contestants were
from Poh-Chang School and Silpakorn School. The artworks from this contest
reflected the connection between art and the political context of the period
following the change in governance and the significant impact of the art
school on the development of art education in Thailand. The school9s advanced
European art teachings enabled students to create paintings of various sizes
that conveyed essential messages about the Constitution or the government9s
six principles. These works embodied the ideal of national creation through
representations of robust, idealized figures. In 1939, the exquisite art contest
significantly impacted art education institutions such as Silpakorn School. After
Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram visited the contest and was impressed
by the exhibited works, the school9s curriculum gained greater recognition. This
recognition eventually led to the elevation of the school to university status
in 1943, when the government officially established it as Silpakorn University.
In 1943, Corrado Feroci faced a challenging situation as an Italian national,
given Italy9s defeat to the Allies at the end of World War II. Recognizing his
contributions to Thailand, especially his role in establishing Silpakorn University,
the Thai government requested the Japanese government to release Feroci.
Subsequently, he changed his citizenship to Thai and adopted the name
