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Lot Essay
One of the most influential Thai artists active during the 1950s and 1960s, Damrong Wong-Uparaj graduated from the renowned Silpakorn University in Bangkok in 1936. His work often reflects Buddhist philosophies of peace and transcendence, and his subject matter frequently focuses on rural scenes from local landscapes. Painted in 1961, Shore Scene with Boats, Rocks and Scaffold-Like Poles upholds the values of traditional Thai everyday life, highly influenced by Buddhist philosophy, while competently working with Western imported methods.
After graduating from Slipakorn University, he continued his study at the illustrious Slade School of Fine Art, part of the University College of London under a grant from the British Council. He was later awarded the J.D. Rockefeller 3rd Fund Fellowship for his Master's degree at the University of Pennsylvania, and also received further grants for research visits to various European and Asian countries. Apart from being an artist, Damrong was a university lecturer, curator, writer, art centre director and art conservator.
Following his experiment with different mediums including tempera, acrylic, woodcut, oil paint, watercolor, and sketching, Damrong further explored abstraction and Impressionism, then found himself in the realist style, creating a simple scene. Damrong's art draws connections to the broad trajectories of Western art history, influenced by his extensive time spent abroad.
Though Damrong has interest in and is notable in international art practices, and while there was the long period of time he spent overseas, Thailand was always his primary inspiration. His depictions are usually characterized by the absence or minimal presence of human figures, allowing viewers to fully appreciate the landscape - a signature aspect of his art. In works like the present work, he merges elements of Cubism and Abstraction, depicting the interplay between manmade structures and natural surroundings. Showing his focus on simplicity including the center outline that divides the work into two sections, the sharp outlines of poles near the water cut through the scene, harmonizing with the jagged forms of distant rocks on the horizon.
In his works on paper, Damrong delves further into minimalism and abstraction, presenting snapshots of his journey through different artistic styles as he mentions, “the ultimate goal of my life and art is peace. I have passed the struggling periods of life and art, and the study of Buddhism and philosophy have been a great help to my life and art, bringing peace to both. Peace is an abstraction that can be found in both reality and the abstract. Art is not imitation but imagination. All of my creative works of art are from my imagination and from meditation that leads to peace for humanity.”
From working with different mediums and exploring various techniques and styles, Shore Scene with Boats, Rocks, and Scaffold-Like Poles serves as a significant example of Damrong’s masterful technique. This work highlights his great influence on the Thai art industry as well as his ability to transform his imagination into an aesthetic. Damrong’s works have been widely exhibited internationally and are represented in public and private collections in London, France, Florence, New York, Philippines, India, and Singapore.
After graduating from Slipakorn University, he continued his study at the illustrious Slade School of Fine Art, part of the University College of London under a grant from the British Council. He was later awarded the J.D. Rockefeller 3rd Fund Fellowship for his Master's degree at the University of Pennsylvania, and also received further grants for research visits to various European and Asian countries. Apart from being an artist, Damrong was a university lecturer, curator, writer, art centre director and art conservator.
Following his experiment with different mediums including tempera, acrylic, woodcut, oil paint, watercolor, and sketching, Damrong further explored abstraction and Impressionism, then found himself in the realist style, creating a simple scene. Damrong's art draws connections to the broad trajectories of Western art history, influenced by his extensive time spent abroad.
Though Damrong has interest in and is notable in international art practices, and while there was the long period of time he spent overseas, Thailand was always his primary inspiration. His depictions are usually characterized by the absence or minimal presence of human figures, allowing viewers to fully appreciate the landscape - a signature aspect of his art. In works like the present work, he merges elements of Cubism and Abstraction, depicting the interplay between manmade structures and natural surroundings. Showing his focus on simplicity including the center outline that divides the work into two sections, the sharp outlines of poles near the water cut through the scene, harmonizing with the jagged forms of distant rocks on the horizon.
In his works on paper, Damrong delves further into minimalism and abstraction, presenting snapshots of his journey through different artistic styles as he mentions, “the ultimate goal of my life and art is peace. I have passed the struggling periods of life and art, and the study of Buddhism and philosophy have been a great help to my life and art, bringing peace to both. Peace is an abstraction that can be found in both reality and the abstract. Art is not imitation but imagination. All of my creative works of art are from my imagination and from meditation that leads to peace for humanity.”
From working with different mediums and exploring various techniques and styles, Shore Scene with Boats, Rocks, and Scaffold-Like Poles serves as a significant example of Damrong’s masterful technique. This work highlights his great influence on the Thai art industry as well as his ability to transform his imagination into an aesthetic. Damrong’s works have been widely exhibited internationally and are represented in public and private collections in London, France, Florence, New York, Philippines, India, and Singapore.