Hem Vejakorn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hem Vejakorn
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| Born |
M.L. Hem Dinakara
January 17, 1904 |
| Died | April 16, 1969 (aged 65) Thon Buri, Bangkok
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| Known for | Illustration, painting |
| Spouse(s) | Chaemchuen Khomkham |
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Hem Vejakorn (Thai: เหม เวชกร; RTGS: Hem Wetchakon) was a famous Thai artist and writer. He was born in Bangkok, Thailand, on January 17, 1904. He passed away in Bangkok on April 16, 1969.
Hem Vejakorn was well-known for his amazing drawings. He created illustrations for the covers of old Thai storybooks. These drawings inspired many artists who came after him. He also wrote popular ghost stories. It is believed he made over 50,000 pieces of art. This includes drawings, watercolors, posters, and oil paintings. His art showed scenes of country life, Thai history, and characters from classic Thai stories. You can even find his work on Thai postage stamps and in art galleries.
Hem Vejakorn's Early Life
Hem Vejakorn was born in Bangkok. He lived with his stepfamily, which included half-sisters and half-brothers. When he was 11, he moved in with his uncle, MR Daeng Dinakara. His uncle was an architect helping to build the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall.
There, Hem met famous Italian artists and engineers. He was very interested in their work at the Throne Hall. An artist named Carlo Rigoli, who designed the inside of the building, even let Hem help carry paint.
Rigoli invited Hem to study art in Italy. But Hem could not go. Later, Hem went to Assumption College, Debsirin School, and Poh Chang College. He did not finish at any of these schools. People thought this was because he did not have enough parental care.
But Hem kept working on his art. He helped paint a temple called Wat Raja Oros. He also started writing and learned to play the viola. For a short time, he worked for the royal irrigation department. He was also a steam engine mechanic. Later, he started working at a printing house. This is where he began painting and making illustrations to sell to magazines.
Working on the Emerald Buddha Temple
In 1930, Hem was chosen for a special project. He was one of the artists who helped fix the paintings inside Wat Phra Kaew. This temple is also known as the Emerald Buddha temple. This work was part of Bangkok's 150th anniversary celebration. Hem was in charge of fixing paintings in room 69. This room shows a scene from the Ramayana story.
After this big project, Hem and his friends started a publishing company. It was called Ploenchit. Between 1932 and 1935, they printed many small storybooks. Hem drew the pictures for these books. The books were very popular and are now rare collector's items.
In 1936, Hem opened his own publishing company, Hem Party. They published a famous book called Phae Kao. Mai Muangderm wrote the story, and Hem drew the pictures. Even though he was successful, Hem's business failed. He then had to find work at a daily newspaper called Pramuan Wan. He also worked for a weekly magazine called Pramuan Sarn. Both were owned by Prince Bidyalongkorn. Hem also drew pictures for other classic Thai stories. These included Khun Chang Khun Phaen and Sri Thanonchai.
A Respected Teacher and Artist
During World War II, Hem worked for the government. He created drawings for textbooks that promoted nationalism. After the war, he became a freelance artist again. He wrote and drew pictures for a series of ghost stories. These stories inspired many Thai artists. One student who learned from Hem was Payut Ngaokrachang. Payut later became a famous animator and cartoonist. He studied with Hem by mail.
Hem also illustrated an English book in 1952. It was called An Introduction to Phra Aphai Mani. This book helped people learn about a long poem by Thai writer Sunthorn Phu. Hem's former student, Payut, later made Thailand's first animated movie. It was called The Adventure of Sudsakorn. This movie was based on Sunthorn Phu's work. Hem also drew pictures for another famous Thai poem. It was called The Story of Khun Chang Khun Phaen. These drawings were made in the 1950s. In 1963, a series of his drawings for the poem Lilit Phra Lo was published.
Years later, a film director named Wisit Sasanatieng made a movie. His 2006 film, The Unseeable, was inspired by Hem's ghost stories. Before he passed away in 1969, King Bhumibol Adulyadej asked Hem to create oil paintings. These paintings were given as gifts to important visitors to the royal family.
