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I used to write about Wat Ched Yod Temple and Vihara Wannee, one of the important royal monasteries in Chiang Mai Province, during my time
as a guest lecturer for monk students who studied Political Science at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Chiang Mai campus.
At that time, I had an interview with a remarkable lecturer and artist, Kriengkrai Muangmool, who won awards from Thai
art competitions seven consecutive times from many organizations that support all kinds of art.
For the latest meeting, he invited me again to meet at Vihara Wannee to ask him about the progress of his project after the
period of 16 years. He said that September 11th, 2001 was the first day he took on the project to paint the wall murals in Vihara Wannee.
This year 2017 I am enthusiastic about painting again and wish to see the in-progress Lanna style art. This would be a great
opportunity for me to get some ideas on how to improve my own work as well as to know about his outlook on his current work in
more detail. This time I would take some photos to show the progress of murals in Vihara Wannee. I must say, in terms of beauty, these murals are on par with many other mural
paintings in well-known temples.
Here is the interview:
JY: Today let's talk about your true feelings and mural paintings you have done in Chiang Mai and other provinces in Thailand.
KM: Due to increasing fame, currently I have additional works and responsibilities. I am so perplexed about the rising number
of people who know me and my works. This makes me so tired and bored. Although my works are many I could not feel good
about at all, I can attest that money is not the most important thing in life as I find time to be more significant. I really wish to
go back to do something like my original dream but now I can’t. It is the thing I love and am eager to do most.
JY: Once you said to me that the mass media make you more famous. Maybe I am the reason why you are disturbed if I follow
and publicize your works.
KM: I really don’t know why but you are not the only reason why I am disturbed. Too much fame causes so much trouble for
me. So many works, so little time to do them. For me, it is inconvenient to meet people when I am busy. What I need more
is time to create and polish my works to the best and highest quality. These days everyone around me expects me to work for
them but I have no time. This Vihara Wannee is also a long-term project for me and my team. We have to devote the majority of
our time to finish the project. Unfortunately, a member of my team died and I didn’t have a chance to say goodbye to him. His death makes me realize something.
JY: What do you realize?
KM: Why we have to wait so long for our death. If we die too soon, maybe people will remember the good things we made
throughout our lifetime. We were born and soon we all will die with no exception. Dying too soon is one thing that we should think as normal and it is governed by nature.
This is the idea that he wanted me to ponder about. Talking with an artist who is also a friend sometimes makes me think
critically about myself and the world. A little disagreement or quarrel is inevitable but at least I am trying to be a good listener.
JY: When does this project completely finish? I am eager to write about it.
KM: It should take one more year to finalize everything. 16 years pass by so quickly. I still enjoy painting wall murals until
they are complete.
JY: I remember that the old colors were yellow and purple but why is it now yellow and green? I still like them no matter what
their colors are. People in the murals are still the same Lanna people.
KM: I have adjusted some colors for more appropriateness. I added more people to the murals especially pictures of King
Bhumibholadulyadej. You can follow me and take more pictures.
Kriengkrai led me to see more pictures in the building and told me where I could take photos.
JY: I really thank you for adding pictures of our beloved king in
different points in the mural. It is a great way to remember his kindness for Thai people. I see that the entire murals are more
detailed and can be changed according to your consideration. For the past years, people still come here to see the mural
paintings and decorations inside the building. You also come here to add more details to the mural paintings.
KM: I will ask you one question. Why do you want to draw and paint?
He saw me carrying a canvas and some colors.
JY: I want to paint and I want to ask for your opinion about my
art practice. I don’t really know what to do to finish my painting. I am not so sure about happiness or suffering. The original
photo is about the Songkran Festival in Chiang Mai by Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). For me, I think it is so difficult to
add more details in this painting due to a lot of activities. What do you think about it?
KM: To be honest, you decided to paint in a style that is different from my works which mainly deals with Thai
traditional concepts. Looking at your painting, I see that women wear Burmese traditional attire instead of Thai Lanna clothing.
It can be said your style is like folk art, not Thai traditional style though. What I want to point out is that you still do not have
enough knowledge and information to take on the Thai traditional concept. That is fine though. You don’t have to add too many details.
What is the best for you is that you draw something from what you see. You can start by sketching with a pencil first. Since you
are not an artist who studied art in the academy, it is fine to practice by copying a photo you like. If your painting is unclear,
you have to think further about how to cope with this problem. For colors, it is your decision to select what is the best color for
your painting. Please remember that anything in the picture can be changed according to your imagination. You don’t have to try
to copy the entire photo because it is rather pointless and unnecessary even for practicing. For lines, light and shadow, you
can copy from the photo if you have no idea what to do about them. About structures: contemporary paintings do care about
realistic perspective while traditional paintings don’t. This is a difference you have to keep in mind.
JY: Thank you so much. I am very happy to see you and very grateful for your advice. I hope you have more support to
continue working on art. Looking at the picture I made, it is not happiness but I found what I like to do apart from writing.
During my working time, I have to ask myself what are the solutions for current problems. I try to focus myself on the
painting in front of me and try to find better ways to cope with these problems. I agree with you now that time is so precious.
KM: I tell you many times that I don’t support my children to be
an artist like me. I asked them the same question as you. Why do you want to paint?
JY: I have heard that your youngest daughter was enrolled in the faculty of Fine Arts, Chiang Mai University.
He paused for a few seconds and said:
KM: She doesn’t have to draw. She studies contemporary arts. I don’t think she likes drawing much.
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This was a casual interview between a writer and an artist.
There are so many things like the "big bomb" in front of us. It is ready to explode soon.
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