The 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok will soon become much more than just a place for travellers to rest their heads when the luxury boutique hotel transforms itself into a rotating showcase that celebrates the talent of top Thai artists.
Starting this month, the hotel has partnered with Bangkok-based design consultancy Farmgroup to bring some of the hottest names from Thailand’s art world to it through a series of curated exhibitions that will rotate every two months. Using this initiative, the two partners hope to make the art by the Kingdom’s top artists more accessible to hotel guests, art collectors and the community the hotel is located in.
Titled ‘Art Rotation’ the series kicks-off with 10 works by award-winning artist Suwannee Sarakana. With sleep one of the most important aspects of any good hotel, it is fitting that all Suwannee’s artworks depict people or animals sleeping.
The talented artist has exhibited her works multiple times in Thailand and the USA, Italy, and Spain, and also winning accolades and awards for her work including the top prizes at the 2nd UOB Painting of the Year in Thailand, 2011; a Special Mention Award at the 30th UOB Painting of the Year in Singapore, 2011; at the 13th Panasonic Contemporary Painting in Thailand, 2011, and at the International Watercolor Competition 2010 in Rome, presented by the Sinaide Ghi Foundation, among others. Her works are also a part of collections at the National Gallery Of Thailand, Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Bangkok, Ministry Of Culture Thailand, UOB Bank, KrungThai Bank, and the National Gallery Singapore.
The artist credits her family for her becoming an artist. “Without my family I would not be an artist. My father was a carpenter and when I was a child, I drew pictures, using his carpentry pencils while he worked beside me. He would often show me how to draw simple shapes and animals such as dogs, cats, chickens and other farm animals,” she said.
Family and friends became the focus of her works when she began drawing and painting with oil on canvas. “When my parents divorced, I realised the importance of family members’ affection towards one another. The family became extended, in my mind, to include my friends. This affection for and memory of family and friends became my primary subject as I matured into my artistry,” she explained, adding, “My paintings reveal this theme and especially the necessity of compassion in order to raise happy children. A child asleep in the arms of his or her parents is the epitome of this love. Without a family or friends, we are adrift in a sea of anonymity and despair.”
This inaugural exhibition of the ‘Art Rotation’ will open with a cocktail event on 16 November 2018 for invited guests, who will have the opportunity to meet the artist. A silent auction will also allow collectors to bid for Suwannee’s portrait of the late King Rama IX. Bidding for the painting will close on 5 December 2018 and a part of the proceeds will go to the Chaipattana foundation.
Suwannee Sarakana’s works will be on display at the Baan Borneo Club and Louie’s Tiffin Grill at 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok from 16 November 2018 – 9 January 2019 and the exhibition will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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