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In September 2018 I received a gift from the Chakrabhand Posayakrit Foundation as I was one of the news reporters who publicized the exhibition to celebrate its 75th year anniversary and the first rotating series of exhibitions from the National Artist Chakrabhand Posayakrit in Scene4. Without further ado, a secretary talked to me about the man who sent the gift to me: these are the splendid postcards from the Artist, Chusit Wijarnjoragij who works with the foundation , His portrait paintings are marvelous. I highly recommend his works for you to see and enjoy.
Here is the interview:
JY: Could you tell me about your inspiration in art?
CW: For me, art is the life of the artist who created it. As I grew up with this outlook, all my footsteps of working are like breathing in and out from today to the next day. I really like to learn more about the profoundness of working in all artistic types. I believe that working on art with love, faith, sincerity and determination could make any regular artwork to be a masterpiece and it could shine by itself. Any kind of working that could seep into the bones by the spirit of the artist has no words to explain. I am certain this is the value that everyone can touch with their own feelings like world-class classical music with no lyric yet its expressive melody can mesmerize and evoke the strong feelings of listeners.
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I really love drawing figurative portraits. This type of realistic portrait goes beyond resemblance. I believe a masterpiece should reflect the life story, love, attachment, faith and intricacy and it could bring out the inspiration for portraying art. Growing up in a cultural land with the root of art & culture, Buddhism philosophy, literature, songs and poems, these are my hidden inspirations that I always add in my own paintings. I feel I am very fortunate to be born in the land of Buddhism and the people here always smile with love and faith. I really love and respect Thai kings and their royal families. This can be seen by my love and dedication to paint portraits of the king and queen for decades during the course of my artistic life. Both the King Rama IX and the queen of Rama IX are my inspiration to create art works and live. Their teachings of endeavor, works and merits are the spiritual guides that
help and encourage me to overcome hardships and be successful.
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Thanks to all my teachers who provided knowledge and guidelines for my works. They are my inspiration to create art on an international level. I am so lucky to study under outstanding Thai and foreign teachers who have knowledge and experience. Years ago, I had a chance to pay a visit to Chakrabhand Posayakrit (Thai national artist) and brought my portrait along with me to ask for his advice in painting a realistic portrait of the king, Rama IX. He gave me essential knowledge and suggestions about dimensions of beauty, the use of colors, delicacy and how to give life to art. I find that Chakrabhand is a masterful and talented artist. He is always one of my inspirations in learning and creating more art. Having a chance to study art in another country was one of the crucial paths in my life. During my time there, I went to visit several leading art museums and saw many masterpieces of world-class
artists. My preferred types of art are the art pieces with deep origin and history. This is another reason for me to focus my learning on the working of old masters. Additionally, I received suggestions from Professor Thawan Duchanee (Thai national artist) when he went to exhibit his works with a group of Thai national artists in USA. He told me to study works of the Dutch artist Rembrandt (Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn). This was an important inspiration for me to study for a Master’s degree at the Academy of Art in New York. I studied works of intensive academy style, anatomy and looked up some old masters’ techniques and researched works of exceptional artists in the world-class museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. I also studied with some exceptional instructors and artists. I received some advice about viewpoints and concepts and I learned how to work strongly like the professional artists. New York is considered to be the
center of art world at the present. Everything is my way to work on art that molded, crystallized my concept and created me in the present.
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JY: What about your previous works and accomplishments?
CW: Around five years ago, I was the first Thai artist to win the first prize for drawing from “American Artist Magazine” which was in the art circle for over 70 years and I was selected to be an Artist Member of California Art Club which was one of the most well-known art organizations in America. Moreover, I received a scholarship from Leslie T. Posey Foundation to study for a Master of Fine Arts at the New York Academy of Art. During my study there, I was honored as one of seven artists who exhibited their works in the exhibition “Painting from the Past” curated by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. As a Thai artist, this made me so proud that the exhibition was successful.
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In 2015, I graduated and went back to Thailand. I made a resolution to myself that I will create art for the country by working as an art contributor for “Royal Portraits”. One of my works was chosen as a cover for “Dichan” one of the most famous magazines for women of Thailand. I also worked as a curator for two of the greatest art exhibitions of the year inThailand to contribute to a charity fund of King Rama IX. All income was donated to Ananthamahidol’s Foundation. Then I was one of the judge of art contest “Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in our hearts” for the Children Foundation. In 2017 and 2018 I was chosen to be included in “300 High Fliers – Thailand’s New Establishment” by Prestige (Thailand) Magazine for two years consecutively.
JY: About current and upcoming works and projects
CW: In this year I am honored to be chosen by TPN 2018 Co., Ltd (Miss Universe 2018). I work on the art which combines the symbolic designs to represent beauty and gracefulness of Thailand to the World. This is one of the proudest works of mine and it gives me a challenge to work on my art in a different dimension. This is the most prestigious pageant contest in the world that Thailand is honored to host for this year.
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My work concept is about the story of six kinds of flowers which are newly designed under symbols of the stars to give a blessing to King Rama X who is 66 years old this year. The beautiful six kinds of flowers are called “Muan Bupha Rachinee”. These flowers are in the royal designation and named by the queen of Rama IX. One of them is called “Dararat” (the flower of memory). The late king Rama IX used to give this flower to Miss Sirikit. At that time, they were not married yet. The symbols used in the design are the symbols of love and faith that all Thai people wish to give to the beloved king and queen of Thailand.
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The design concepts of this art work consisted of star symbols according to Thai belief in the universe. Six types of Muan Bupha Rachinee flowers are Dona Queen Sirikit, Maha Prom Rachinee, Moka Rachinee, Dararat, Saraschan and Bua Queen Sirikit. These flowers are to be recreated under the concept of star symbols. The movements are beautifully placed with unique beauty such as “Dao Paydan Thai” (Thai star ceiling) that tells the story of the peacock constellation, since peacocks are regarded as the most beautiful and graceful birds of the world and they are the queens of birds. The queen Sirikit of Rama IX used to give the symbol of the Thai peacock as a sign of quality for Thai silk products. Universally, the peacock also stands for immortality, luck, highness and love. By studying the Thai contemporary arts during the reign of King Rama V, we now know that Thai arts were influenced by
western art such as architectural types and clothing. Dimensional patterns of accessories could lead to the universal beauty which is classic and gorgeous.
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JY: Anything else?
CW: I wish to give encouragement to everyone who is interested in art. Don’t be discouraged by hardships and be diligent to learn new things in order to create better artworks. Most importantly, all of you should have faith in what you love and what you want to do. Then you can achieve your dream and the success will be waiting for you.
Chusit Wijarnjoragij
Education
2014- M.F.A. New YorkAcademy of Art, New York, TheUnited States
1997- B.F.A. Painting (Honors), SilpakornUniversity, Bangkok, Thailand.
1991- Saowapha Vocational College, Bangkok.
Honors and Awards
2018- Honored to be selected as Key Visual Artist for Miss Universe 2018
2018- Honored to receive Certificate of Merit presented by CCF (Community Children Foundation) Under the Royal Patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
2018- Selected as one of “300 High Flyers – Thailand’s New Establishment” by Prestige magazine (Thailand)
2017- Selected as one of “300 High Flyers – Thailand’s New Establishment” by Prestige magazine (Thailand)
2015- Honored to paint the portrait of their Majesties the King and the Queen of Thailand for the cover of Dichan Magazine, and be interviewed for the cover story in August and December issues.
2013- Selected as one of 7 Artists to exhibit, Demonstration-Painting from the Past, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
2012- Leslie T. Posey Foundation Scholarship
2005-2011- Representation and participation in worthy charity projects such as C.C.F Foundation Thailand, General Prem Tinsulanonda Statesman Foundation, Anandamahidol Foundation, The Cardiac Children Foundation of Thailand, The Association of Silpakorn University Alumni, etc.
2008- Honored to paint the portrait of their Majesties the King and the Queen of Thailand for the cover of the Siam Commercial Bank calendar with 3,000,000 copies printed for the public.
2007- 1st Prize winner, American Artist Magazine 70th Anniversary Art Competition, The United States.
2005- Selected as an Artist Member of the California Art Club, The United States.
2004- Honored to paint Her Majesty the Queen Sirikit of Thailand for the cover of Dichan Magazine in August issue, Dichan magazine is one of the best selling magazines for women inThailand, celebrating the traditionally auspicious sixth-cycle birthday of her Majesty, Queen Sirikit. This painting was purchased by the president of Thai Farmers Bank, who subsequently presented it to the Queen.
1999 - Scholarship from the president of Giffarine (Thailand cosmetic's industry) to attend a porcelain workshop in California, The United States.
1997- Scholarship from Lucia und Waltfried Ocker, President of Stuttgart Trader Association to Study artistic works in Germany.
1997- 1st Prize Art Exhibition and Competition of Paintings as representations of Songkran Festival and Family Day Symbol, jointly organized by the Office of the National Cultural Commission The Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association and the Jewelers Board of Trade, Thailand.
1994 - Honored to paint and permanently exhibit “Khun Phan and Lady Wanthong in Cotton Field” painting at the Siri-PhumTowerMuseum, Suphanburi.
1991- 1st Prize Thai Art, Saowapha Vocational College, Bangkok.
1991- 1st Prize 43rd National Art and Craft Competition for skill and competence in Graphic Arts,
Exhibitions
2017-In Remembrance of The Great King, Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC), Thailand
2017-Tribute to the Beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Quartier Parc, The EmQuartier, Thailand
2016-Forever In Our Heart, Forever Our King, Emporium Gallery, The Emporium, Thailand
2014- Art Thesis Exhibition, New YorkAcademy of Art, New York
2013- Artist Demonstration-Painting from the Past, The Metropolitan Museum of Art,New York
2013- Simulacra Painting & Drawing at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Academy of Art, New York
2013- Extreme Drawing Exhibition, New YorkAcademy of Art, New York
2012- Deck The Walls exhibition, New York Academy of Art, New York
2011- In Honor of His Majesty the King 's 84th Birthday Anniversary, Siam Paragon, Bangkok, Thailand
2010- The Grand Reception & Royal portrait exhibition, Government House, Thai Khu Fah Building and Santi Maitree Building, Bangkok, Thailand
2008- California Art Club, 97th Gold Medal Juried Exhibition, Pasadena Museum of California Art, Pasadena, CA ,The United States
2007- Life Drawing Exhibition, WalterN.MarksCenter for the Arts, CA, TheUnited States
2006- Art Exhibition to Honor the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne,“Yoo Yen Pen Suk”, The Emporium, Bangkok, Thailand.
2004- Art Exhibition for occasion of the celebration of Her Majesty Queen’s 72nd Anniversary, Tonson Gallery, Bangkok.
2003- Art For Peace, Sathira-Dramsathan, Bangkok
2002- Stream of arts & Stream of Hearts, GaysornPlaza, Bangkok.
1997- Art Thesis Exhibition, SilpakornUniversityArtGallery, Bangkok.
1997- Art Exhibition of the 3rd Panasonic Contemporary Painting Competition, National Gallery, Bangkok.
1999- Silpakorn Art Exhibition to celebrate the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty the King’ s 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary, Silpakorn University Art Gallery, Bangkok.
1997- Art Exhibition and Competition of Paintings as representations of Songkran Festival and Family Day Symbol, jointly organized by the Office of the National Cultural Commission, the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association and the Jewelers Board of Trade, Thailand
1996- Art Exhibition Painting Contest organized by Thai Farmer Bank, for the occasion of the celebration of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on His Golden Jubilee, the 50th Anniversary of the Ascension to the Throne. Contemporary Art Exhibition, Thai Farmer Bank, Head Office, Bangkok.
1996- 20th Bua Luang Art Exhibition Painting Contest, The Queen's Gallery, Bangkok.
1995- Thai Art Exhibition, QueenSirikitNationalConvention Center, Bangkok.
1995- Art Exhibition of painting “Thiew Tud lad Dokmai” (Scenery of Nature and Flowers, Still life and Landscape Paintings), SilpakornUniversityArtGallery, Bangkok.
1994- Art Exhibition of painting: “Jintaparb Thamachart” (Image from Nature), LakeRachada,Bangkok.
1994- 18th Bua Luang Painting Art Exhibition Contest, The Queen's Gallery, Bangkok.
1992- 95 Art Exhibition by the student of Painting, Sculpture and Graphic Arts, SilpakornUniversity.
1991- Art Exhibition “Silpa Sanchorn” Saowapha Vocational College, Bangkok.
1990- 91 Saowapha Vocational College Art Exhibition, Bangkok.
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