SENI CHAEMDET

เสนีย์ แช่มเดช

SENI CHAEMDET

Introduction



As far as I can remember. when I was Young I was so tiny compared with friends of the same age, my mother would worry sick about me and constantly urged me to eat a lot in order to grow bigger, she was afraid begin so small would make it difficult for me to earn a living. There is plenty of food to eat compared with the next-door children who have little to eat, < I thought to myself > But when she took me to the temple to make merits, I experienced a certrain kind of peace within the religious environment. I felt full and slept well.

Therefore, the temple has become my mental nourishment ever since, it makes me wonder whether present-day children have the time to go to the temple. Especially in urban society, a lot of time is spent in vehicles which have become like movable homes. This kind of environment forces me to be alienated from the temple. My lifestyle changed because fate brought me to Silpakorn University to further my art studies at a high level, in spite of the face that my knowledge and ability were not on a par with the Bangkok students. For this reason, I studied hard decause I valued the work of art which is comperhensible and touchable, and also keep myself from going astray with the teenagers way of life. It can be said that what has driven me and shaped my aspiration all along is the creation of artistc work which have replace the temple as my mental nourishment and filled up what is missing in me. I have learnt From experience that art has taught me how to drink creatively, how to use the colors white, black and gray. It has taught me about the harmony and balance in art, the difference and the contrast between blue and yellow, red and green etc. The value of art is comparable to life. One has to strike the balance between heury and light, too much and too little, what is good and bad, what ought to be done and what ought not.

The Lord buddha laid down the Buddhist principles in the Tripitaka which comprises 84,000 Sections. In face, he stressed only one principle: the enlightenment in causes and effects, everything has its own causal condition, man as a knower should try to understand and gain insight into the origin and transformation of things. The happiness and the suffering, the good and the bad, originate from the same basis. We know what is right and wrong, it all depends on our choice, like a piece of paper, in ones hand it is valuable: if one throws it on the road or in a bin, it is just an object. The true base is the mind. It depands on how it is nurtured and developed. Its character and preferces depend on its wisdom. Each person has the same root in humanity.

We still find ourselves empty and lost. When we talk about the realm of art which can be seen and touched, even though it is full of creativity, instead we find that when we communicate with it, we are like the mute. We become blind and deaf. Our senses are completely numb. We feel like the underwater lotus, all the truths of the world, be they the peace of the gold color, the brightness of red, the shininess of turquoise, the majesty of yellow and the freshness of green, are seen though a glass darkly. Our thoughts have been conditioned by orders, even also by ourselves. Inertia and valgarity keeps piling up so much so that we cannot see the world of art with clcrity. This world is, however, not beyond our reach. it is in ourselves.


SENI CHAEMDET

Concept



I believe in the expression of form, mind, spirit and feeling.

Some things cannot be expressed with the figurative form - they can't be seen by the human eye.

We need art to explain these things. The creation of art is special to humans.

To express spirit and create art, we need experience and to study to obtain knowledge both self-study and formal education. Practice is most important. We need to know and to do. When we follow this path, we can eventually express our ideas through art.

Art is also dependent on each person's experience, environment, society and acceptance of the forces of nature. The feelings, thoughts and individual character of each artist combine in different ways.

Culture, beliefs and faith are aspects of our environment. They are always with us, all around us all the time. They stick inside us, inside our minds. They are always part of our lives, from the time we are children right through adulthood. They develop over time and they deeply influence the mind. They have affected the creation of my artwork.

My approach to art directly addresses the environment and ways of nature-the things around us and the forces of nature. The incredible beauty and creative powers of nature inspire me.



BIOGRAPHY



Born :

May 12, 1961 Nakhonsawan, Thailand.


Education :

B.F.A. [Graphic Arts] The Faculty of Painting Sculpture and Graphic Arts, Silpakorn University, Bangkok.

Studio :

11/2 Sawanvitee Soi 5, Sawanvitee Road, Nakhonsawan, 60000 Thailand.

Tel - Fax :

0-5621-3258

Mobile :

089-461-3559


Scholarships :

Silpa Bhirasri Creativity Grants 2005.


Solo Exhibition

2017 :

The Spiritual Nature of Abstract Art at Ratchadamnoen Contemporary Art Center, Bangkok.

2013 :

Spiritual Intuition of Abstract at The National Gallery, Bangkok.

2008 :

Affection Persistence Meditation Attainment at The National Gallery, Bangkok.

2007 :

“Art of Nature” Studio Nan Riverside Art Gallery, Nan.

2004 :

Nature of life at Atelier Art Gallery, Bangkok.

2003 :

“Art in The Way of Life”, Atelier Art Gallery, Bangkok.

1999 :

- Inspiration of Nature at Marsi Gallery, Bangkok.

- Art exhibition "Realty of Nature" Art Gallery of the Faculty of Painting, Sculpture and Graphic Arts, Silpakorn University, Bangkok.


Four Visions Exhibition

2004 :

Four Visions, Nan Riverside Art Gallery, Nan.

2003 :

Four Visions, Art and Culture Museum, Khon Kaen University.

2002 :

Four Visions, Atelier Art Gallery, Bangkok.

2000 :

Four Visions, Centers of Academic Resources, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok.

1998 :

Four Visions, the National Gallery, Chao-Fa Road, Bangkok.

Selected Group Exhibition

2006 :

Art Exhibition for Silpa Bhirasri Art Creativity Grants 2005, Silpakorn University Art Gallery, Bangkok.

2003 :

Art Exhibition at Chiang Mai University Art Museum.

2000 :

- The 4th Art Music and Photograph Exhibition by the Artists Preserve Western Tropical Forest Group “Town Invade Forestry”.

- Art Exhibition in the Occasion of Silpa Bhirasri Day September 15, 2000, Silpakorn University Art Gallery, Bangkok.

1999 :

- Artists Who Become Preservers of Western Tropical Forest, The National Gallery, Bangkok.

- Art Exhibition Bung Boraphet, Nakhonsawan.

- Art Exposition to Celebrate the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty the king’s 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary.

1998 :

- Art Music Photograph Exhibition Report Form the Forest, The National Gallery, Bangkok.

- Wisdom from the Nature in Bangkok.

1997 :

- Artists Who Become Preservers of Western Tropical Forest, Marasi Gallery, Bangkok.

- Contemporary Art Exhibition in Commemoration of 55, Anniversary of the Faculty of Painting Sculpture and Graphic Arts, Silpakorn University, Bangkok.

1989 :

The National Exhibition of Art, Bangkok.

1988 :

- The National Exhibition of Art, Bangkok.

- Bua Luang Painting Contest, Bangkok.

- Art Thesis Exhibition, Bangkok.

1987 :

- The National Exhibition of Art, Bangkok.

- Thai Farmers Bank Painting Competition in Celebrations for the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty the King of Sixtieth Birthday Anniversary, Bangkok.

- Bua Luang Painting Contest, Bangkok.

1986 :

- Exhibition of Contemporary Art by Young Artists on the Occasion of “Silpa Bhirasri Day”, Silpakorn University, Bangkok.

- Contemporary Art Competition, Bangkok.

1985 :

- Exhibition of Contemporary Art by Young Artists on the Occasion of “Silpa Bhirasri Day”, Silpakorn University, Bangkok.

- Contemporary Art Competition, Bangkok.

1984 :

Exhibition of Contemporary Art by Young Artists on the Occasion of “Silpa Bhirasri Day”, Silpakorn University, Bangkok.

Rama IX Collection

Gift from the artist


seni

Intuition of Nature, 2008

Oil on canvas
100 x 100 cm.

seni

The Spiritual Nature of Abstract Art 17/2016, 2016

Oil on canvas
130 x 110 cm.


จิตวิญญาณธรรมชาติ 17/2016, 2559

สีน้ำมันบนผ้าใบ
130 x 110 ซม.

seni

The Spiritual Nature of Abstract Art 19/2016, 2016

Acrylic on canvas
170 x 170 cm.


จิตวิญญาณธรรมชาติ 19/2016, 2559

สีอะคริลิคบนผ้าใบ
170 x 170 ซม.

WORK


Technique



I use colour to represent feelings and impressions of nature. For example,

- Blue suggests depth, calm, and the feeling of vastness we get when looking up at the sky.

- Green gives the feeling of plenty, growth, new development and a sense that the rain has come.

- Yellow gives light, wisdom and freedom of thought.

I have experimented to develop my own technique using oil on canvas and, from the basics of my past study and practice in printing, I also use a roller and a silkscreen rubber scraper, mixed with brushwork. I combine these with watercolour and acrylic techniques in my pictures.


This individual technique forces me to work quickly. When I want to make changes, they have to be done at the time of creation. When I start, I have to follow through to the end. It requires concentration and confidence. I find it helps the artistic feelings inside to come out directly. Maybe I have a rough outline of the picture in my mind with some details.


My work is a path of discovery, a way to come to the truth of nature.


It's a combination of the things seen with the eyes and the experience and feelings inside. Another way of saying that is, it is like an expression of the internal and external truths. The worlds inside and outside. There are differences and conflicts, but at the same time, they share some things in common and cooperate.


Colour is most important in my work. It's the thing that stimulates feeling. I combine clear, bright colour and deep, dark shades together. The bright colour give an uplifting sensation and the dark colour give a feeling of peace and calm. Forms of nature's leaves suggest the dynamics of life and from the vastness of the sky we get a feeling of a quest, a search. There is balance between the space and the solid form.


I think it gives beauty and meaning which is satisfying.

Publication

Catalogue of SILPA BHIRASRI CREATIVITY GRANTS 2005 art exhibition on 22 May - 17 June, 2006 at Silpakorn University Art Gallery
Catalogue of ART IN THE WAY OF LIFE art exhibition on 1-30 September, 2004 at Atelier Art Gallery
Catalogue of INSPIRATION OF NATURE art exhibition on 11 March - 25 April, 1999 at Marsi Gallery
Catalogue of REALITY OF NATURE art exhibition on 17 - 30 August, 1999 at Art The Art Gallery of The Faculty of Painting Sculpture and Graphic Arts, Silpakorn University

Article


Abstract art may be divided into two categories which are the Geometric style and the Organic style.

The first uses shapes, angular and round, straight and clear to express thoughts.

The second style uses, organic forms to express, more freely that which flows according to emotions and feelings. The work of Seni Chaemdet can be placed in this category. He spends most of his time researching and recording many things in nature such as trees, blades of grass, waterfalls, cliffs, and various, patterns that are impressive which are used to confidently express with the abstract style in every piece of his art work.


Genuine abstract art can be seen as, an expression of the truth of beliefs, thoughts, or feelings that doesn't require real objects.


Professor Chalood Nimsamer.

Thai Artist