THE WHERE OF HISTORY
Two artists give idiosyncratic expression to the locales found throughout the biography of King Bhumibol
It is without doubtd one of the most melancholic time periods in the history of Thailand. The royal crema
tion yesterday was a historic event of sorrow and grandeur, and as the mourning period will soon come to an end, Thais young and old will continue to hold onto the fond memories of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Countless books, magazines and artworks have been created in remembrance of the king’s 70-year reign, and latest of all, leading Thai illustrator Terawat “O” Teankaprasith, in collaboration with illustrator Phithan Thechaniti, has put together a striking architectural sketchbook, The Majestic Splendour, to bring together the most important historical locations and events related to King Bhumibol.
“[The content] within this book is mostly buildings and atmospheres instead of portraits,” explained Terawat. “It’s like we’re with His Majesty at an important moment — like we’re in that location and it’s like we’re following in His Majesty’s footsteps since the start. He’s been with us for so long and he’s done many things for us and I feel that there’s no other book that’s like this.” From the place of his birth in Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US, to where His Majesty was laid to rest at Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall, Terawat, who acts as the art director, asked Phithan to paint all the locations and events, constituting around 70 paintings.
“At first, Phithan and I were going to draw 50-50,” said Terawat. “But it turns out that he is the better artist — and it’s more in his style. So I thought, ‘OK, I’ll let Phithan paint the whole book and I’ll look at the overall picture, like what to draw, what colours should be used and how it will look in the layout’.”
Placing importance on all of the palaces, buildings, temples, and schools that relate to His Majesty, the paintings, created from pencil and watercolours, are stunningly precise. Phithan, who graduated from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Fine Arts in addition to working with celebrated artist Chakrabhand Posayakrit, works in great detail. With his background and skill-set in drawing Thai patterns, which Terawat admittedly doesn’t have, he was able to make certain elements — like the temple roofs that aren’t clear — stand out beautifully.