Chalermchai Kositpipat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chalermchai Kositpipat
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| เฉลิมชัย โฆษิตพิพัฒน์ | |
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Chalermchai at Wat Rong Khun in June 2021
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| Born | 15 February 1955 Mueang Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai, Thailand
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| Education | Silpakorn University |
| Known for | Painting |
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Chalermchai Kositpipat (born February 15, 1955) is a famous Thai artist. He is mostly known for his paintings that often show Buddhist ideas and images. His art has been shown all over the world.
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About Chalermchai Kositpipat
Chalermchai Kositpipat was born in Thailand. His family had roots in both China and Northern Thailand. He went to Silpakorn University, which is a top art school in Thailand. He finished his art degree in 1977.
He started his career by painting movie advertisements on big billboards. His first murals, which are large wall paintings, mixed traditional Thai Buddhist temple art with newer, modern images.
Early Travels and Influences
In 1980, Chalermchai took his first trip outside Thailand. He visited Sri Lanka and stayed there for six months. During this time, he studied Sri Lankan buildings, sculptures, paintings, and Buddhist temples. He was especially inspired by the white statues and temples he saw there.
He worked closely with a well-known Sri Lankan artist named Manju Sri. Chalermchai even had his own art show in Colombo, Sri Lanka. After the show, he brought his artworks back to Thailand and sold them all.
Famous Murals in London
In 1988, Chalermchai was asked to paint murals for Wat Buddhapadipa in London. These murals took four years to finish. They were quite new and different for the time, which caused some discussion.
Chalermchai said in 1998, "I got complaints from everybody – from the [Thai] government, from monks and from other artists, saying that what I was doing was not Thai art."
Growing Acceptance and Success
Over time, people began to accept and appreciate his unique art style more. Even the Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej became one of his clients. One of his artworks was sold for US$17,500 in 1998 at an art auction in Singapore. Another painting, called Food Offering to Monks, sold for US$59,375 in 2018.
Wat Rong Khun: His Masterpiece
One of his most famous works is Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple. It is a beautiful, ornate white Buddhist temple being built in his home province of Chiang Rai province. Work on the temple began in 1997 and is still ongoing today.
Chalermchai once said about the temple, "Only death can stop my dream but cannot stop my project." He believes that building this temple will give him "immortal life."
Awards and Recognition
In 2004, Chalermchai was the first visual artist to receive the Silpathorn Award. This award was created to honor living Thai contemporary artists who are in the middle of their careers. Later, in 2011, Thailand's National Culture Commission honored him as a National Artist. This is a very high honor for artists in Thailand.
See also
- Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat
- Lek Viriyaphant
