paintings

A golden pipal branch reaches across the black night sky toward the moon. Buddha achieved enlightenment while meditating beneath such a tree, which became known as a bodhi, or "enlightened" tree. Parinya Nanjai creates these beautiful images with golden foil, framing his work in brown bamboo.

Elephants are beloved creatures in Thailand. Working in the style of old Siam, Chanikan Rujanawate depicts a cheerful black pachyderm. "I think elephants are so adorable, so I presented their charm in my paintings," she says.

With slender grace, three cho fa appear on a gilded background. These are the elongated triangular finials capping the gables on Thai temples and palaces. Tanachai Ekuruchaitep depicts the mesmerizing forms like shadows. "This springs from Thai imagination," he says. "I wanted to present its easy line, gentle but powerful. Something that tells about the ancient times."

Rising upward like a twisting flame, this graceful image recalls the symbol of a Thai temple, seen from a distance. Known as a cho fa, it is the elongated triangular finials capping the gables on Thai monastic and palace buildings. Tanachai Ekuruchaitep depicts the silvery form and its shadow on a gilded background. "I wanted to present its easy line, gentle but powerful," the artist says.

Depicted in russet, an elephant with splendid tusks walks proudly through the darkness. Tanachai Ekuruchaitep portrays the mighty pachyderm in the style of ancient paintings. Once favored by the kings of old Siam, the elephant's image became a national emblem seen on royal thrones as well as on the national flag. Fascinated by the history and culture of Thailand, Ekuruchaitep wishes for his art to bring continuance of the past. He treats the work with an undisclosed technique for an antique effect.

The golden branches of a sacred pipal tree – a variety of fig that grows in India – appear in moonlight. Buddha achieved enlightenment while meditating beneath such a tree, which then became known as a bodhi, or "enlightened" tree. Some of these trees in Thailand are said to derive from cuttings of the original bodhi. Parinya Nanjai depicts it as a place of spiritual calm and frames the painting in pinewood, rattan and bamboo.

Buddha´s head appears in profile in this sublime study by Tanachai Ekuruchaitep. Lichen adds texture and realism to the sculpted stone image, reflecting the ancient atmosphere of Khmer temples. The artist is inspired by the Sukothai Buddha images whose style originated in Ceylon. Buddha's serenity is intensified by the dark background.

Thailand is a predominantly Buddhist nation, filled with breathtaking ancient temples, pagodas and other architectural wonders constructed to worship Buddha. In Thailand images of Buddha play an important role beyond mere decoration. They are traditionally placed within the home in special locations, such as shrines or pedestals, to help facilitate everyday religious worship.

Brahmin and Buddhist cosmology overlap in the veneration of Ganesha. In Thailand, the Hindu deity is known as Phra Pikanet or Phra Phikhanesawora. Tanachai Ekuruchaitep depicts the auspicious lord as a stone sculpture where lichen attest to the passing centuries.

Deep in meditation, Buddha is a serene presence in this elegant portrait by Sakchai. The artist selects a monochrome palette of grey and white, except for the golden Urna between his eyebrows. It represents a third eye, permitting him to see beyond the earthly world and into the spiritual world. The artist focuses on the brushstrokes rather than color to achieve images with simplicity and clarity, in this case, suggesting Buddha's breath and emphasizing the ethereal nature of spirituality.

Thailand is a predominantly Buddhist nation, filled with breathtaking ancient temples, pagodas and other architectural wonders constructed to worship Buddha. In Thailand images of Buddha play an important role beyond mere decoration. They are traditionally placed within the home in special locations, such as shrines or pedestals, to help facilitate everyday religious worship.

A fanciful flower takes shape in glittering gold. Shining in the darkness, it is surrounded by silver starlight. Supranee Taewijar adapts traditional Thai art motifs to her personal vision as she creates this beautiful, modern painting.

Regal and powerful, an elephant strides purposefully through the golden darkness beneath a full moon. Tanachai Ekuruchaitep depicts the mighty pachyderm in the style of ancient paintings. Once favored by the kings of old Siam, the elephant became a national emblem seen on royal thrones as well as on the national flag. Fascinated by the history and culture of Thailand, Ekuruchaitep wishes for his art to bring continuance of the past.