Recognised for his print artwork inspired by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, artist Kraisak Chirachaisakul felt lost after the passing of the monarch. However, despite feeling empty inside for two years, the artist became enthusiastic about creating art again when he met a Russian model, Anastasia Maslova, at an art gallery. Maslova became his muse for the 2020 exhibition "Venus Resurrection" at River City Bangkok and also his latest printmaking exhibition "Friends" at Kalwit Gallery. "Friends" displays 12 drypoint printmaking artworks and one oil painting inspired by Maslova and her friend Eve Parker.
"This exhibition displays artwork which depicts interactions and the relationship between Maslova and Parker more than the previous exhibition, which focused only on Maslova. People can interpret the depicted relationship as either friendship, love between siblings, or even LGBTI. For me, friends are significant people because they will be with us in difficult times," said Kraisak.
Kraisak is a master in printmaking techniques. His mezzotint and drypoint techniques are acclaimed and have earned him several international awards. Mezzotint is a traditional printmaking process that uses engraved copper or a metal plate on which the surface has been partially roughened for shading and partially scraped smooth in order to give light areas. Meanwhile, drypoint is a form of engraving whereby an artist uses a sharp tool to draw on a Plexiglas plate.
In 2013, Kraisak won six awards in many countries, including France, Serbia and the US. Some of his major awards are the Grand Prize for the collection "Long Live The King" at The Biennale Internationale D'estampe Contemporaine de Trois-Rivières (BIECTR) in Canada in 2013; and the Excellence Prize Awagami at the 2013 International Miniature Print Exhibition in Japan for "Long Live The King Everywhere". However, the award he is most proud of is the Gold Prize from the 2014 International Biennial Print Exhibit in Taiwan for The Greatest Love.
Skinship is one of Maslova's favourite pieces. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)
"In Canada, a judge asked me if I had ever met the late King Rama IX. I told the judge that I almost met the king when I was waiting to greet him in a crowd but when his car passed by, I missed the chance to catch a glimpse of him."
I was awarded the prize in Canada because mezzotint is a traditional and difficult technique used to create religious books in the past. It was a rare technique in Thailand at that time. The Greatest Love portrays thousands of Thai people waving flags to salute His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great. It took time to work on this piece because it was very detailed and the body proportions of each person in the print had to be balanced," said Kraisak.
"For me, printmaking is an adventure. I can tell a story through a complicated technique. In today's digital age, some artists prefer to adopt new technologies into the creation process. However, I prefer to use a handmade plate because art is about the mind. There are artists who create better works than mine but I believe that my works are unique. I believe in a signature and want to see my signature in my artworks," Kraisak added.
Kit Chirachaisakul, the son of Kraisak and curator at Kalwit Gallery, has been on a mission to promote printmaking artists since he graduated from the Faculty of Painting, Sculpture and Graphic Arts majoring in printmaking. Kit commented that his father is a virtuoso artist.
Once Upon The Time was created using the drypoint technique. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)
"The new-generation artists usually come up with their work concepts and later create their artworks. On the contrary, my father uses his skills to create artwork before having a theme or concept. His printmaking artwork requires drawing skills and a few lines of his drawings with different shades of tone can complete an image. To draw an image the way he does requires experience and a high level of accuracy," said the curator.
The muse of the exhibition, Maslova, said she was honoured to work with a talented artist like Kraisak. She commented that Kraisak is humorous but creates serious art. Among 12 drypoint artworks, Maslova particularly likes Skinship and Once Upon The Time.
"Taking photos for artwork is different from working on a fashion shoot because I have to be myself. These two printmaking pieces reflect calm, tender and exclusive moments. They give both my friend and me a perspective of our true personalities. It is unusual because when we look in a mirror, we do not see ourselves like this," Maslova said.
As an award-winning artist, Kraisak advises both aspiring and young printmaking artists to participate in competitions.
Dreaming, left, and In the Glass Garden 2. (Photos: Apichart Jinakul)
"I do not want young artists to aim for an award but at a competition, they will have eye-opening experiences and be exposed to other artists' works which can bring new techniques and perspectives to improve their work in the future. Printmaking artists can easily use a plate to print on paper and send it to a competition. If the paper is lost, we can reprint it again," said Kraisak.
All 13 pieces were inspired by Russian model Anastasia Maslova. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)
Kraisak is passionate about printmaking and is determined to work on art until he is too old to work. In the meantime, he is planning to start his next collection.
"My work is about love. Some of my artworks include images of the late King Rama IX and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother. Viewers can feel the love, warmth and my passion for printmaking. I intend to work on printmaking my whole life. Some old masters created portraits inspired by female models until they were old. Like a classical painter, I want to work on another collection inspired by Maslova. She will be an important medium to deliver my stories until I am very old," said Kraisak.
"Friends" runs until Feb 28 at Kalwit Gallery, Soi Ruamrudee 2, Ploenchit Road. Admission is free. Visit facebook.com/kalwitgallery or call 02-254-4629.
