Please Donate Your Ideas for a Silpathorn Artist was specially created for an accompanying exhibition by Navin Rawanchaikul on the occasion of his receiving the 2010 annual Silpathorn Award in the field of visual arts. Held in the lobby of the Queen’s Gallery, the work comprised 10 questions posed by the artist displayed around a large title on the wall. The questions raised issues upon the position of art and artists in society, as well as the value of the award and the role of governmental organisations. The artist’s goal and opinions about the Thai art world were explained in a personal handwritten letter to the late Montien Boonma, a renowned artist and Navin’s beloved mentor, to whom he dedicated his Silpathorn Award. Offering free stamp addressed postcards for visitors to contribute and mail their answers, by the time the exhibition was over more than 500 postcards were mailed to the artist in Chiang Mai.

Initiated in 2005 by the Ministry of Culture’s Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, the national Silpathorn Award is given annually to outstanding mid-career artists from different fields, who have already made notable contributions to Thai art and culture.

Navin’s letter to Montien (Thai version, the artist handwritten: 4 pages)
Navin’s letter to Montien (English version: 3 pages)

Gallery

Postcards to Navin