Actor turned artist
When did you decide to leave showbiz and why?
I worked in the TV industry for 15 years, be it acting or presenting. I have to admit that the work was very exhausting. I found that it took up all of my time and energy. Towards the end of my time on TV, the economy started getting really bad and the industry lost a lot of money. Shows were cut short and salaries reduced significantly. I decided I had to get myself out of there and find my own work and means.
What sparked your interest in the arts?
There was never an external factor that pushed me into the arts. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always felt deep inside that I had strength in art. I’m an unusually observant person and can stay focused for long periods of time. These personality traits are my strength and they allow me to do what I’m passionate about.
Your artwork explores your journey through life. Is there anything that triggered you to use art as a medium for talking about your experiences?
Art is inseparable from self-expression. Whether it’s through acting, painting, music or any art form, the artist is always present in their work and they always have a story to tell
— whether it’s general, personal or both. I wanted to share a story I know better than anyone else — that is, my own. Art and painting are where I feel my strongest presence as an artist, so I’ve used this medium as the one that will best depict me and tell my story.
You received some tutoring from famed portrait artist Sakwut Wisesmanee. How did that come about? What was it like?
After some years of painting seriously, I became particularly interested in portraiture. My mother introduced me to Sakwut Wisesmanee and suggested that I visit him and ask if he’d offer advice or
tips. I travelled to his house and he offered me some very valuable tutoring. That was probably the most valuable impact on my techniques as a painter.
What’s the biggest obstacle that you had to overcome during the making of art pieces?
When it comes to creating art, I rely on two crucial things: experience and focus. When I make a mistake because of a lack of experience, it’s a technical mistake that I can then learn how to fix. But when I make a mistake because of a lack of focus, I end up repeating the same mistake. These periods of inadequate concentration are my main obstacles.
Can you tell us about your exhibition at Woof Pack? What was the idea behind it?
I accepted the opportunity to have a solo exhibition at Woof Pack straight away. I see it as a stroke of good luck and hold it as one of the most important opportunities of my life. Having never displayed my artwork publicly before, this exhibition is my first introduction to the world as an artist. It’s a highly personal exhibition, with work that tells my life story both on the outside and the inside.
Do you find that art helps you to cope with personal struggles?
I consider art to be my biggest strength and it’s always been a comfort to me. Art has always been good to me. It takes my mind off troubling thoughts, it supported me financially when I had nothing else to offer and it helps to build up my confidence.
This is your first time sharing artwork with the public. How do you feel about it?
Excited and nervous. But I’m not so concerned by the public’s reaction — this exhibition and the work that I do are personal. As long as it’s as good as I want it to be, I’m satisfied.
What kind of new projects would you like to work on?
I haven’t felt the need to look at other projects just yet. I still feel like I have lots more to learn and experiment with, in oil painting — my entire focus is on it now.
Any plans to hold another exhibition? Might there be a return to showbiz?
As time goes on, the television industry will continue to keep changing. But I think my work process and path are clear, when it comes to painting. I like to work for myself and rely on myself, so I think I’ll be sticking to painting as my main career. But the great thing about working for myself is that I can also occasionally return to television if I want to. I wouldn’t get the same freedom if I was in TV full-time.
“Phongsakorn Mahapaurya: Out Of The Darkness” will be on display at Woof Pack, Sala Daeng 1, from Mar 18 to Apr 5. Gallery hours are Mon-Sun 10ammidnight.