GreenBkk Scoop | Birthplace of the Kingdom's '10 crafts'

Birthplace of the Kingdom's '10 crafts'

A royal residence where an endless stream of Thai fine arts have culminated into a top art school, Silpakorn University

As the country's oldest art institute, Silpakorn University, Wang Tha Phra campus, has served as a breeding ground for Thailand's top artists since its establishment over 60 years ago.

Not many people realise, however, that long before it became a university, Wang Tha Phra, the royal residence, was the birthplace for several royal artisans since the early Rattanakosin period.

"It might have been a coincidence that the occupants of this palace happened to be artists as well," said MC Duangchit Chittrabong in a commemorative book published in 1968.

This year marks the bicentenary of this former palace. The auspicious occasion was celebrated with a number of activities organised by Silpakorn University.

Wang Tha Phra was one of three royal residences built in the same compound under the command of King Rama I, for his two adult sons and one grandson - all of them were remarkable princes who had won the trust of the founder of the Chakri dynasty.

Since the road in front of the compound was named Phra Lan, the royal residences were also known as Wang Thanon Na Phra Lan, which literally means "the palace that is situated on Phra Lan Road". The residence on the east was called the Eastern Phra Lan Palace, the one on the west was called the Western Palace while the residence in between was called the Middle Palace.

The Western Palace later became known as Wang Tha Phra, as it was situated near the city gate, which was demolished to accommodate a gigantic Buddha image - Phra Sri Sakyamuni - that was moved from Sukhothai to Bangkok on the order of King Rama I in 1808. People then referred to the rebuilt gate as "Tha Phra", following the historical incident.

Among the princes who resided at Wang Tha Phra Palace was Prince Jesadabodin, who later ascended to the throne as King Rama III. During his stay, the prince granted an audience to John Crawford of Britain, who was on trade missions to Siam, at the palace's Reception Hall at least three times.

After his coronation in 1824, King Rama III moved to the Grand Palace and thus Wang Tha Phra Palace was taken over by Prince Sihavikrom, the forefather of the Jumsai family, and later on by Prince Adulyalaksanasombat; the two princes were the sons of King Rama III, and both of them were well recognised for their artisanship. In particular, Prince Sihavikrom was the chief of the department that took care of the "10 crafts" of traditional Thai arts and craftsmanship, or chang sip mu. Another member of the Jumsai family, Prince Pravich, was responsible for the construction of the Phra Pathom Chedi stupa in Nakhon Pathom province, and many other works.

Prince Sihavikrom, the forefather of the Jumsai family.

Meanwhile, the Eastern and Middle palaces were eventually torn down in 1898, after the death of the last royal occupant Prince Prab Porapak during the reign of King Rama IV, who transformed the area to a production site for creating works under the 10 traditional Thai crafts. Today, part of the site is used as the offices of the Fine Arts Department.

Wang Tha Phra, which had been left vacant and dilapidated for over a decade - was eventually renovated and became the residence of Prince Naris during the reign of King Rama V (or King Chulalongkorn).

Wang Tha Phra became a modern palace with three new Western-styled buildings added to the compound. And the exquisite Royal Reception Hall was restored to its original grandeur.

During his 64-year stay at the newly-renovated palace, Prince Naris, a well rounded artist, produced numerous art pieces that have lasted up until today. He was assigned to supervise the restoration of the Songtham building in the Grand Palace and his masterpiece was Wat Benchamabopit (the Marble Temple). Prince Naris also redesigned the gate of Wang Tha Phra, which was highly praised for its elegance.

National Artist Sumet Jumsai noted that the turning point of Thai art came during the time of Prince Naris, who excellently blended traditional and modern art. It was Prince Naris who gave the opportunity to Italian-born artist Silpa Bhirasri to serve the Siamese court after their first encounter in 1923; the two had developed a close friendship.

Prince Naris.

"The prince was 51 and about to retire from court service while the young Prof Silpa was 23," said Asst Prof Surasak Charoenwongsa, a lecturer at the Faculty of Painting, Sculpture and Graphic Arts, Silpakorn University.

From Prince Naris to Prof Silpa, art had been passed on at this palace without disruption. Part of the chang sip mu production site was turned into Prof Silpa's office, now the university's Hall of Sculpture, while Prince Naris moved to his new place, a retreat home called Ban Plai Nern, said Asst Prof Surasak.

Apart from producing works of art, Prof Silpa followed his dreams in laying down the foundations for art studies in Siam as well.

"In 1935, the nation's first art school was set up, with Prof Silpa as the headmaster. This place produced great artists like Ajarn Fuea [Haripitak], among many others," said the university lecturer.

The school was later upgraded to a university in 1943, along with the faculties, paintings and sculptures.

He noted that while Prince Naris became frail with poor health, Prof Silpa worked profusely as a master, drafting the curriculum, writing art textbooks, an art dictionary, as well as lecturing and as an artist.

"He started from zero indeed," said Asst Prof Surasak.

Prof Silpa's great contributions and the blessings from Prince Naris are the reasons why Silpakorn University has become the well-established art institute that it is today, he said.

Prof Silpa Bhirasri.

The Pannarai building was built for Prince Naris’ mother, Pannarai, when the prince moved to Wang Tha Phra from the Grand Palace.

 

A wooden pavilion in the ‘Suan Kaew’ garden. The university adorns the garden with sculptures by former students and famous sculptors. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SILPAKORN UNIVERSITY

Credit: Bangkok Post