"Giving" is the major inspiration behind Suphadech Mahamart's nine portraits of King Bhumibol Adulyadej currently displayed at the "Love From Our Father Through His Smiles" exhibition at Marsi Gallery until Dec 31.
This collection of black-and-white pencil drawings took the artist seven months to complete.
He had looked for photos of the king with a smile and started drawing from them, using the simple and easy technique.
His focus was to make the facial expression lively yet graceful in reminiscence of the way the king's smile always brought bliss and happiness to his people. The artist's choice of using each pencil until it ran out of lead also was inspired by the king. It isn't only aimed to reflect on the meaning of a simple yet powerful technique, but also to raise awareness on the value of natural resources and the fact that energy is necessary for every life.
Each of the portraits represents the important periods, from when the late king worked hard for the Thai people to when he became the spiritual centre and a huge inspiration to live with a mindfulness and wisdom and follow in his virtuous footsteps and his teaching on the sufficiency economy. Also on exhibit are his five other drawings from the two series -- Natural Meditation and Jade On Lotus Leaf -- which portray the balance between meditation, mindfulness and wisdom.
Marsi Gallery is at Suan Pakkad Palace, Si Ayutthaya Road, and is open daily from 9am-4.30pm.
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