Spirit
of Art
Pratuang Emjaroen
Pratuang Emjaroen, a self-taught artist
has dedicated more than 40 years of his life to create his own style of
art. His work has been much admired by his peers, the general public,
and collectors alike. His faith in Buddhism, art, life and nature has
become his main artistic inspirations. The style of his artwork can be
seen through the colorful tones that he uses to reflect the powerful energy
and deep emotions inspired by natural beauty.
To honor the great Thai master as well as
to celebrate his 70th birthday, the Queen’s Gallery, together with the
Artist and Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, Ministry of Culture
organize the “Spirit of Art” exhibition. This is a retrospective exhibition,
comprising a collection of Pratuang’s work from 1963 – 2005 which reflect
and record each step of his creative path since his commencement on the
artist career.
“Spirit of Art” reflects the spiritual essence
that has illuminated his life through art creations. The exhibition includes
more than 300 selected pieces including paintings, drawings, poems and
installations. His work is grouped into four separate periods with different
styles and inspiration.
Confrontation to sufferings: (1963 – 1966)
Pratuang’s work during this period was inspired by the personal sufferings
of himself and his family as well as that of mankind as a whole. His work
reflects adversity, painful sorrow, bitterness and death which are the
truth of human existence.
Universe and Abstraction: (1967 – 1975)
During this period, Pratuang dedicated himself to the study of nature.
In the beginning he trained his eyes by looking at the Sun and got visual
inspiration about colors. The most outstanding work which came out of
this period was a series of the Universe (1970-1971). Pratuang’s strong
interest in meditation and Buddhist philosophy also drove him to create
a series of symbolical and geometrical abstract paintings.
Art for Life: Reflection of Political Society:
(1976 – 1979)
The political uprising of October 14, 1973 and October 6, 1976 strongly
motivated Pratuang to create a series of paintings with socio-political-religious
purpose such as Dharma and Adharm (1973), Sacrifice (Fasting Buddha) (1976)
and Seinee Stone (1976). Later, he also worked on a number of pieces that
reflected the lifestyle of Thai farmers including such work as The Grain
of Virtue (1979).
Universal Symbols, Abstract Symbols: (1980
– 1985)
Nature was Pratuang’s core inspiration. The style of his work during this
period is mainly abstracts with free and liberated forms, lively and saturated
colors and subtle details through the tip of the paintbrush. All complex
details were intended to symbolize and display natural beauty that ever
reflects spiritual virtues within every human. The distinguished series
accomplished in this period consisted of Life Reflection on Lotus Leaf
(1980), The Pebbled Sands of the Earth (1984), Devine Way (1985), Dewdrops
on Lotus Leaf (1986) and The Deep Sea (1987). His extensive travel to
ranges of mountains, the vast country, oceans and deserts encouraged him
to create works of arts with universal elements that can attract people
of every nation by unique combinations of forms, techniques and essence.
While touring in many national parks in the US such as the Grand Canyon,
Monument Valley, Zion and Yosemite, he also did a number of drawings using
crayon.
The Creation of Nature - Towards Freedom:
(1986 – 2005)
Powerful and refreshing natural energy has energized Pratuang’s imagination
to grow and flourish beautifully which he has then translated it into
paintings and poems. Outstanding pieces from this period include Magic
of the River (1993), Grain Rainbow (1995), Lotus – Essence of Consciousness
(1999), Blooming Lotus at Dawn (2002) and Power of Creation (2002). Pratuang
hopes to bring joy, happiness and hope for all mankind through his art
creations. He believes that we shall be more virtuous and more liberated
mind if we unite ourselves with nature.
The “Spirit of Art” exhibition will
be held from October 7, 2005 to January 24, 2006.
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