On Saturday, Dec 1, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the official opening ceremony of Arts of the Kingdom VI, as the representative of his His Majesty the King. The exhibition, which is open to the public at Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall at Dusit Palace, showcases choice artworks and handicrafts from the Sirikit Institute.
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn views the ‘Arts of the Kingdom VI’ exhibition at Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall.
Arts of the Kingdom displays exquisite pieces produced by villagers from around the country who have been given the opportunity by Her Majesty the Queen to learn ancient Thai crafts, perfect their techniques and eventually to create beautiful works of art at the Sirikit Institute, formerly known as Support (Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques) Training Centre at Chitralada Villa.
The skills take many years to perfect, and in its three decades of existence the institute has trained and produced many artisans of the highest level.
To honour three auspicious occasions _ His Majesty the King's seventh cycle birthday anniversary in 2011, Her Majesty's 80th birthday anniversary and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn's fifth cycle birthday in 2012_ the Sirikit Institute has created nine new masterpieces to be displayed in the Arts of the Kingdom VI exhibition alongside those of previous years.
The nine new additions are a carved wooden screen with scenes from the folk tale Sang Thong and the mythical Himmavanta Forest; an embroidered screen themed around the Thai play Inao; a gold niello screen with scenes from Ramakien; a triple-spired "Busabok" throne; a gold khram damascene inlay "Kong" throne; models of the Sri Prapatsorachai and Mongkol Suban royal barges; an intricate design incorporating emerald-hued beetles' wings; and the poem Arts of the Kingdom inscribed in gold khram damascene.
Arts of the Kingdom VI is open to the public at Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, Dusit Palace, from 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday. Tickets are 150 baht for the general public and 75 baht for students with a valid student ID.
