Following my participation in the 21st Century Friendship Project in Japan for a month in the year 2529 B.E., organized by JICA from the Japanese Embassy in Thailand, I visited the Hiroshima City Museum, where the events of World War II bombing of Hiroshima deeply resonated with me. This experience became ingrained in my mind over time. Subsequently, I depicted these events using monochromatic tones derived from old photographs found in international magazines. Spending approximately three months on the artwork, employing a photorealistic approach on a canvas sized 150 x 140 centimeters with oil paints, I compiled several watercolor artworks created during travels. These pieces were exhibited at the A.U.A. Language Institute under the title "Friendship for Peace" in 2529 B.E., and later at Silom Gallery in 2547 B.E., with the content extending from the previous exhibition, making this the second installment under the same title.
The current exhibition, "The Beauty of Friendship Brings Peace to the Soul," aims to reinforce awareness in society about the perils of natural disasters or wars. Through the utilization of art as a medium, it seeks to sway minds towards collective societal defense, along with fostering societal sensitivity through artistic works depicting nature, environment, and news images from mass media coverage of natural disasters, such as the unpredictable seismic events in Syria. The societal healing process involves using art as a tool to create shared experiences, leading towards peace and understanding, along with sharing essential human values when facing unforeseen events caused by human actions or natural disasters, which the future world may encounter. Thus, during times of societal turmoil, it is crucial to fortify both physical and mental resilience in preparation for unexpected challenges. The exhibition's role is to disseminate art to society, serving as a creator's contribution, utilizing knowledge, abilities, and experiences for the betterment of societal well-being, both directly and indirectly, in the realm of empathy, for continued future benefits.
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About the Artist
Mr. Sathit Thimwatbunthong is Lecturer of Fine Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts, Srinakharinwirot University. Specializing in painting, art education, and cultural anthropology, he is skilled in oil, watercolor, and acrylic techniques. He holds degrees in Bachelor and Master of Education in Fine Arts Education from Srinakharinwirot University, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy in Thai Studies Education from Mahasarakham University.
Mr. Sathit has been involved in organizing exhibitions for over 30 years, both solo and group exhibitions. His exhibitions include "Friendship for Peace" at the AUA Exhibition Hall in Bangkok, "Multicolored Watercolors" at ART IMAGE in Bangkok, "Colors of Siam" series at Illinois State University, USA, and numerous watercolor festivals in Thailand. Additionally, he has authored books and academic papers related to art education and cultural anthropology.
For more information, please contact
Mr. Sathit Thimwatbunthong
Mobile: 081-7101948
