Brief description

The morning lecture by two graphic experts highlighted the contemporaneity of decorative motifs and designs of the late Ayutthaya period in Wat Yai Suwannaram Temple in Petchaburi Province. According to the description by the Thai Tourism Authority: “the temple, featuring a windowless main shrine hall, houses magnificent 300-year-old murals of mythical angels. Its Sala Kanprian (multi-purpose hall), which was once located in Ayutthaya’s Grand Palace, was entirely built of teakwood and decorated with fine woodwork especially at the door panels. There is also a preaching throne with magnificently elaborated Bangkok style woodcarvings and gold gilt works”.[1]

This renown temple houses the most interesting collection of stencil patterns done with paper-block printing in Thailand. This technique is common among artisans all over the world and it has been used thousand years ago in China and at least half a millennium in Japan. The talk discussed the patterns of Wat Yai Suwannaram Temple and how they remain a source of creativity to these days. In a related afternoon workshop, participants learned to apply those traditional motifs with silk-screen block printing techniques to modern products such as T-shirts and cotton bags.

The speakers are two graphic designers deriving inspiration from Thai art and culture:

  • Pairoj Teeraprapa attained his bachelor and Master degree in Visual Communication Design at Silpakorn University, Thailand. He started his work at SAM NOH design studio and later became art director for an advertising agency. Today he is a freelance designer and part-time tutor for many universities in Applied Thai Art.
  • Kwanpoom Vilaiwan is a student of Pairoj Teeraprapa and has also studied with M.L. Chiratorn Chirapravati and with Prateep Sawangsuk at Siam Sarm Tri Schools. He founded Artizaan Press and has edited more than 10 books, and 100 pieces of publication including, academic journals, chart books, scrapbooks and greeting cards from the work of famous Thai artists. His design work is both for commercial and non-profit aims including for supporting HIV patients from the Thai Red Cross, and for Bangkok National Museum, and Museum Siam.

 

[1] Quoted from https://www.tourismthailand.org/Attraction/Wat-Yai-Suwannaram–5236

 

Photographer

Yanin Wongmai, Rosalia Sciortino and Kanyawee Seedabut