Thai art for much of
this century has refleced theinfluence of modern Western culture
as well as that of
traditional Buddhist-inspired Thai culture. Thus, the students
of contemporary Thai art, were taught not only about Western
art, but were also urged to explore their cultural roots for
inspiration. The result among contem porary Thai painters is
a combination of some works that can clearly by seen as Western
but with sign of Thai influence on the one hand and others that
are more sincere in nature on the other hand. The work of Thai
artist Wattana Wattanapun reflects this duality in particularly
forceful and interesting manner. Having lived and worked both
in North America and Thailand, he has produced essentially two
types of work: one which is essentially Western, but which bears
significant traces of the Thai origins of the artist, and the
other which is strongly influenced by traditional Thai themes,
styles, and materials, but which seeks to explore Thai culture
within a global context. The present article surveys the development
of Wattana's art and examines his most recent works they reflect
this duality. |
