In 2023, Benjamat BangLuang won the third prize, the Bualuang Bronze Medal, in the contemporary painting category at the 44th Bualuang Painting at the Bualuang Foundation. Benjamat is a good example of a new artist, presenting women of Thailand. It is at the point where those who see the work want to ask what happens when the artist wants to convey the meaning of her own life. She won in the arena of Bualuang painting which is considered to be a "standard" and it is not easy for a young and female Thai artist to receive this prestigious award. Previously, I had the opportunity to interview in the past Ms. Wasana Sisang, a female artist. who graduated from Thailand and went to study in India. She has also received awards from Bualuang. It can be seen that it is a good sign for the open-mindedness of the art world that there are no restrictions on the work and expression of contemporary painting in Thailand. Later at the IDENTITY exhibition on June 2,2024 at the rotating exhibition room 1 and 2, floor G, MOCA BANGKOK, I had the opportunity to request an interview withBenjamat BangLuang with the award-winning Breath of Life image. JY. Please tell us about the process of creating your work. BB. The process of creating my work is in a realistic style combined with an idealistic style using figures that express emotions through body language with facial expressions, gestures and eyes, with an atmosphere of color in space and time that is inspired. Coming from an interest in truth and nature, using people, forest life, and forests as symbols of expression, I imagine creating a private world like a forest that is mysterious but filled with stories and beauty of nature, a forest where all living things are born. You have to struggle through the ecosystem, growing in a short life cycle that is connected in nature on logs and grass and various stories. By inserting stories of beliefs through the nature of the forest, people and animals, such as the story of a poisonous snake that is about to attack humans, or a chameleon which is trying to eat a dragonfly. display very short life cycles with a metaphor from characters through stories in literature, Buddhist philosophy, beliefs. To refine the mind and remind those who watch, this is the idea and inspiration for me to express my paintings in the form of Narrative Art using the technique of composition in the Trinity style. Expressed through painting in a realistic style combining ideals and beliefs. With emotions through the environment in a split second of life. It reminded me of the truth of nature and how to live well. Because humans are excellent in virtue and wisdom, they should be different from all animals. With the technique of oil painting on linen using Old Master techniques learned from Ajarn Chusit Wijarnjoragij. Ajarn has been able to provide guidance in art making skills. Teaches and provides knowledge about figure rating. Regarding the use of color, the composition of the image gives the color value in the image. Priming the canvas and doing surface techniques. He advised me to study from real things by taking branches, staff animals, and masculine things from real things to study in depth to gain a deep understanding before transferring them into the work. This is beneficial to me, making me more aware, observing and understanding what I draw. JY. Describe your inspiration and influence: Describe yourself as an artist who influenced the development of their art and inspiration that leads to the creation of works. BB. I am interested in European academics. Ancient work which has a great influence on my work. I intend to study human paintings using academic principles and ancient techniques. There are many favorite painters, but I would like to give an example of an artist who influenced the creation of their work. If he were an artist in Thailand, it would be Ajahn Chusit Wijarnjoragij, both my teacher and my idol. Chusit is a famous painter, whose work was noteworthy in the 20th century in Thailand. He is an expert in painting combined with knowledge and Old Master techniques. The use of emotion and atmosphere in the use of colors is like a combination of the emotions of Renaissance art brought to the Eastern world. The techniques and methods are unique and worth searching for. There is no fault in any picture of Chusit. In creating portraits, paintings of my favorite teacher who has a unique personality that captures emotions through his eyes beautifully and deeply, and has dimensions and meticulousness in both details and the use of tones with skill and dedication. He was very attentive and gave me knowledge, teaching Old Master techniques, which inspired me to be determined to develop my work to have depth and dimension like the teacher's work. He is both a good role model and a quality artist. And my favorite foreign artist who has influenced my work style is the painter Albrecht Dürer. He was an artist in both painting and printmaking. His work is outstanding whether it be portraits or animal paintings. Organizing the composition of images to tell a story in the work that is interesting and the details within the work. JY. Experiences and Achievements: Talk about your personal experiences that have influenced you to be an artist, your past studies in school and university, including the success that has been received BB. If we talk about going back to school, ever since I can remember I have liked art. We started a competition for making small picture books in the 4th year of elementary school, which won the best award for the first time. And the school took us on a tour of the competition. which is the starting point for entering the industry related to contests. Drawing pictures for contests outside of the venue as well as having access to the course level professional certificate. I had the opportunity to practice watercolor with Chaiyot Konthiang, Samut Prakan Technical College, who sent artists to compete with still-life watercolor painting skills. The national level has been the first runner-up award, silver medal, in Rayong Province made us feel proud of our group and ourselves. When entering a bachelor's degree program at Poh Chang University I started submitting competitions in the first year but I was never able to submit every entry for every stage. I then began to look at stages that were suitable for my work and was able to participate in some presenations on each stage. I felt very happy that my work was presented on various stages. Until I graduated with a bachelor's degree, I had never received an award, only for my joint work. But I continued to submit works and never stopped developing my skills and gaining knowledge about composition. Content matter, trying to do well and submit on the stage, last year won the bronze medal at the 44th Bualuang Painting 2023. I feel very happy and proud of myself for trying and not giving up once, which has been a turning point in my life. This contest has made my family at home understand what I am doing. Doing this, I feel like something was unlocked at that moment. My grandmother and father's family were delighted that I received the award, in an honorable arena and participated in the award ceremony with Her Royal Highness Princess Siribha Chudhabhorn presenting  the award. Later on May 10, 2024, I received a great honor from Mr. Pakornchai Worajitchutiwat. To participate in the exhibition IDENTITY clearly led me to enter the art world. I would like to thank you for giving me this opportunity to be able to exhibit my work with national artists. Get to know qualified teachers I got to meet fellow artists in this exhibition as well. I would like to thank you for receiving the opportunity from the elder Mr. Damrong Konantakiet. and Preecha Arayasatjapong, who have always supported my work. I will focus on developing my work even further on this path and becoming a quality artist. At the moment I feel that along the way I have met many people who have a passion for art. From me, I who did not believe in myself I became stronger from the experiences gained from the lessons of working life. And my teachers' teachings have allowed me to meet good people and give me important opportunities. I feel very proud and honored. I would like to give encouragement to the young people who are fighting on this path. Just try and have confidence in what you are doing and be clear in your goals. Success will come at the right time when you can grab it.   JY. Your visions and goals: Write about the artist's vision and goals for the future. and how you have planned to achieve those goals. BB. The highest goal is…..a quality artist. To be a good example and pass on inspiration to the next generation, to be beneficial to others and help society, as well as being an inspiration to the next generation of young artists to walk on the path in the future. What is necessary to be a quality artist is having self-discipline and never stopping developing your skills and ideas, having patience and confidence, and when you have the opportunity, you want to pass on the knowledge and abilities that you have received.On the way I plan to reach those goals that I have always created, it will be about developing my own skills. and discipline in practicing skills, including practicing anatomy, practicing drawing nature, animals, setting up puppets, drawing from real models. I find inspiration from real places from reading picture books from listening to music. In my planning, I have to write it out as a "mind map." Thinking techniques and methods for recording our imaginary thoughts from the brain onto paper. Simulating ideas from the brain onto paper in a map-like manner. Diagrams that branch out using images, lines, colors, symbols, and keywords. Key visual is the interpretation of the work's concept into visual language. It's a method that I like to do and determine what I do each day in order to be effective in working according to my goals.   JY. Facing Challenges: Challenges artists face in the arts and how to deal with them. What about work experiences, job contests, examples of past experiences, fun or distressing, solutions? BB. Challenges artists face in the art world regarding focusing on clear goals, we must have faith in what we are doing. It's like investing with all your resources without fear of risks. With a habit of not giving up. Be diligent in practicing. My patience and determination never stops and I am determined every time I work. Previously, there were various obstacles that came my way in life, but I never gave up trying. Received both criticism and praise from my teachers and used them to improve in order to develop my work in the next contest. Making me learn and develop my own work in terms of creating creative works. In 2022, my work participated in the 43rd Bualuang Painting Stage, which gave me the courage to fight and work hard. Later in 2023, my work won the 44th Bualuang Painting Bronze Medal. I have brought some recommendations from the honorable committee for everyone to understand. You also know the process of developing my work. The work is called Breath of Life by Mr. Panya Vijinthanasarn (National Artist). He told me that the exhibition of famous designs as you can see, the artist's work has charm and sincerity in it. Even though it is an old style, but it is conveyed with sincerity, it will never be outdated. Ajarn Wiranya Duangrat is another person who sparked me. Having said that, the work should have been interesting and have attractive points, whether it be colors, stories, or some sort of mystery, let people get emotionally involved in the event. Make it interesting, the concept should be stronger and the content format should be good and interesting. There has been an improvement in the composition from last year. And the instructor, Chusit Wicharanajokit, praised me for having an understanding of nature, developing in my work in the field of nature and understanding more deeply and quickly. The work has dimensions, being able to make things like tree textures feel emotional. It made me dedicated to practicing more in my work and finding my own way. Every advice from a teacher was meant to push me to improve and improve my work. Thank you to all the teachers who have always been so kind to me. In my determination and effort it was never wasted, it made me encounter good things during my travels. There is happiness and success that we can experience with our own hearts. No matter the problem that arises, there is a solution, just don't be afraid to face it. Don't let fear take over. Only courage and success can overcome this fear. And sometimes this change is what will make me get something better in return. We have to dream and imagine what we want to be. One day we may be standing there and it will really happen. It is a pity if I stop and give up. I may not feel happy about today and the good opportunities I have received from those who have always taught me and those who are merciful. People who follow and like the work, they are role models for quality artists who are my idols in the future. I would like to pass on inspiration to younger artists.   Benjamat Bangluang Born December 11, 1997   Education Primary level, Ban Nong Bua Lakorn School. Nakhon Ratchasima Province Middle school level Dan Khun Thot Secondary School, Nakhon Ratchasima Province Professional level: Samut Prakan Technical College Bachelor of Arts, Painting (First Class Honors), Pho Chang College, Rajamangala University of Technology Rattanakosin.   Works/Awards 2016 1st runner-up award in the Watercolor Still Life Contest in Rayong Province. 2019 Bronze Medal Award in Painting Techniques (Higher Education Level) National Traveling Artist Project 2019 Buddhist Quotient “Interpreting Buddhism through the new generation” 2019 Landscape Oil Painting Exhibition "Volunteer Project to Create Paintings of the Ancient City of U Thong" 2020 4th “Beauty in Similarity” Exhibition 2020 2020 Color of love art exhibition 2020 received a scholarship for the year 2020 from the Statesman Foundation Fund, General Prem Tinsulanonda. 2020 received scholarship Princess Marasi Sukhumbhand Boriphat Foundation, 10th time 2020 Mini Thesis Suffering Friday exhibition at Rajadamnern Contemporary Art Gallery (RCAC BKK) 2020 Good Academic Medal Award from Pho Chang College 2021 Good Academic Medal Award from Pho Chang College 2021Thesis Exhibition 18th Art Exhibition-I'm Fine(Art)Bangkok Art and Culture Center (BACC) 2021 participated in the art exhibition of the Foundation for Statesman General Prem Tinsulanonda on the topic of peace and happiness. 2021 Participated in the Imagination Project, Continuing Thai Literature with Intouch, Year 14, topic: “I love Thailand” and “Save the environment Save our planet” INTOUCH 2021 Participated in the 16th National Children and Youth Art Competition. 2021 Participated in the international art festival project Songkhla “connected from generation to generation” (ART new GEN 2021) 2022 received an ATCW scholarship2022 The Queen Mother's 90th Birthday Celebration 2022 Participated in the exhibition “43rd Bua laung Painting” at the Queen Sirikit Art Gallery. Her Majesty the Queen 2022 Traveling Lotus Painting Exhibition at Chiang Mai University Art and Culture Center 2023 3rd Prize, Bualuang Bronze Medal, Contemporary Painting Category The 44th Bualuang Painting by the Bualuang Foundation 2023 Traveling Bualuang Painting Exhibition At the Ganesha Art Gallery, Faculty of Fine Arts and Cultural Sciences, Maha Sarakham University. 2024,Joined in exhibiting work at Pacific City Club together with a group of independent artists to honor His Majesty the King, His Royal Highness Prince Kanitthathirachao, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn 2024 IDENTITY Group Exhibition: Artist Identity at MOCA Museum of Contemporary Art.