Thai artist’s talent, work to be at USU for three months
Thongchai Yukantapornpong unmasks the rhythm of lines.
“By alternating between form and space, a dimension of depth is evoked, showing the beauty of the balance between opposites such as light and dark, motion and stillness,” said Thongchai, an art instructor in Thailand. “This reflects oriental culture, philosophy and beliefs based on birth, existence and extinction.”
Thongchai, whose specialty is lithography, is an art instructor at the Chiang Mai University in Thailand, but for the next three months, his home will be at Utah State University in the Arts Studio.
Friday, Thongchai’s artwork was showcased at the Twain Tippetts Exhibition Hall. The gallery hosts many different kinds of art, including the Undergraduate Show in early November.
Lithography involves making prints and rotating them several times to create unique patterns and colors. One plate may be used for several different pieces. Thongchai’s early work mostly used vertical lines, but in his progression he has incorporated horizontal and other lines.
“His art is very simple and textural,” said Barbara Lundberg, a sophomore majoring in interior design. “I like that because you are not caught up in a particular subject.”
Thongchai’s inspiration has roots in many areas.
In his homeland, the women make their own clothing, he said. Because some of the clothing is worn to the temples, importance is placed on beautiful patterns and colors. Simple jewelry is also common. Thongchai has adopted the same attractive geometric shapes and often includes metal-looking colors such as silver.
Thongchai was also influenced by the Thai temples’ simple architecture. Many of his pieces have a feeling of serenity, sacredness, and silence, he said. His later art reflects his religious beliefs. The blend of light to dark colors illustrates the cycle of life.
Lines are everywhere in nature. Thongchai pointed out the horizontal waves of the ocean contrasting the vertical palm trees on the beach. He said his favorite part of his collection is the series representing dusk and dawn.
Many of his works have adopted natural colors such as red, yellow and purple.
Diane Conner, a junior majoring in painting, said her favorite piece is Luminous Space XII.
“I like the dynamics of color,” she said.
Thongchai has an impressive résumé – his first exhibition was in 1984 at Bangkok’s National Art Exhibition. His first solo exhibition was in 1990 at the Seven Sea Gallery in Bangkok. He has also had extensive schooling including a master’s of fine arts from Silakorn University.
Thongchai is at USU as a resource to students for the next three months. His office is in the Chase Fine Arts Building, Room 106.
He said he hopes to find inspiration in Logan, and he was very interested in involving Zion’s National Park in his art.
-ashschiller@cc.usu.edu