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I would like to tell you about an artist whom I've followed for many years. I found movement always happened with his colorful
paintings. For instance, the picture of Hanuman, the notable monkey soldier character from the Ramakien Saga (Adaptation of Ramayana Saga from India) is easy to recognize. The
contrasting colors are clear enough to see other details of the painting.
Wattana Poolcharoen is an artist who is passionate about impressionism. He began his art career during 1975 – 1983 as an
art teacher. For 17 years (1983 - 2000), he was employed in an advertising company before becoming a full-time independent artist.
Here is the interview
JY: Could you tell me about yourself, your family, education and career.
WP: I was born on 8 November 1951 in Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province in the central region of Thailand. I am the
eldest son of five siblings. As far as I know, I have loved art subjects since I was in primary school. After I finished my
secondary school, I enrolled in the Archivasilp School of Arts for three years and then two years in Poh Chang School of Fine Arts.
My major subject was international Fine Arts. Lastly, I went to Teacher’s College in Kanchanaburi Province. After graduation, I
went to be an art teacher in Visootharangsee School in Kanchanaburi Province for nine years and then I left. After that,
I was in the position of Art Director and Creative Director for an advertising company, CP&S, until my resignation in 2000. Since
then, I am able to do what I love the most. It is painting. After I painted alone for a couple of years, I participated in solo and
group art exhibitions continuously with my fellow artist friends over 30 times till the present. I am married to Suchada
Poolcharoen, a school teacher, and we have a daughter who is currently studying at Queensland University in Australia.
Notable works of advertising:
- Advertising for Robinson Department Store for publishing and advertising movies
- Advertising for products in SK group such as S’fare, P.J., Puppet and etc.
- To film advertising movie to introduce Future Park Rangsit in Japan
- To film advertising movie for “Rover Car” in England
Notable works of art (2011-2017):
- 2011: Art Exhibition “14 Artists by Art Area Group” Baan Silom Gallery, Bangkok
- 2012: Art Exhibition “Beautiful Friendship” Amari Watergate Hotel, Bangkok
- 2015: Art Exhibition “Princess Sirindhorn” at Ratchadamnoen
Contemporary Art Center, Bangkok
- 2017: Participated in the 9th exhibition of the International
Visual Arts Association “The King of People’s Hearts” at Central Embassy Department Store, Bangkok
JY: How do you feel about your return to work on art?
WP: Coming back to work on art again is the true happiness that I want. There are so many good things like meeting with other
artists and exchanging life experiences with them. And independent I can be myself to create something I am good at.
Most stories are about Thai tradition, culture and the way of living. I am trying to capture these stories in the style of
impressionism which reflect my perception of Thai style of
living well.
JY: Please tell us about your past trip to France to do a workshop.
WP: I always wished to go see the original impressionism works of Claude Monet and his fellow artists in France. When my
dream came true, at the end of March, my two artist friends and I went to France. Seeing the actual masterpieces impressed me
so much. Then we traveled to many locations where Monet and his friends used to make artworks. These feelings and memories
were really fantastic. The day after at the hotel we lived in, my two friends and I did a joint workshop to create a painting of
impressions of this journey within a day. The painting size is
70 x 400 cm. That is an unforgettable memory and I hope to get another chance to visit there again.
JY: And the Arts of Thailand?
WP: The circle of art in Thailand these days is more recognized and accepted, more than before but I think it is still somewhat
limited at times. The government should take part in supporting and promoting artworks to people in Thailand and abroad. Art
galleries should be in every important tourist attraction and in every province. To be honest, the artistic skills of Thai artists are
not inferior to other foreign artists. The artists themselves should cooperate with other groups of artists to create works
with quality for the advancement of Thai art and should discard the nonsensical notion about "only my group is the best" or "my
institute is the greatest". At present, I think the situation of art in Thailand is better than the past since artists from all institutes can work together with harmony.
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