Train passengers travelling up to the north of Thailand may notice some changes when they pass through Lop Buri. Well known as the home of monkeys, the town now interests passers-by with its stunning murals that mirror the town’s relationship with the primate.
Murals by Lopburui artists group.
Sixteen murals now line the old wall of a neglected theatre, Malai Rama. They feature pictures of cute four-eyed monkeys, a curious chimpanzee, Mona Lisa with a monkey’s face, monkeys taking selfie pictures and a military monkey, to name but a few.
These paintings were created by a local group of artists called Lopburui. Actually, the mural project was initiated by Seri Kaeovichian, an art teacher from The Demonstration School of Thepsatri Rajaphat, who was in search of art space to beautify his home town. He found the old wall of the neglected theatre a perfect location for this art project as it is located next to Phra Kan Shrine, Lop Buri’s Khmer Ruins where tourists often feed the monkeys living in the area. Moreover, the wall is located by the railway.
The wall was quite dirty as it was surrounded by garbage made by monkeys and monkey feeders. Seri and his friends managed to get permission from the theatre owner. They cleaned up the wall and nearby area before using his Facebook page to share his idea and ask local artists to show their creativity.
The most difficult aspect of the project, however, was working among the monkeys, who stole their brushes and paints. It was not unknown for the monkeys to play around with the artists by throwing around leftover food or urinating on them.
Lopburui artists spent a few weeks, mostly during the night time, to compete their murals. All wall art was finished by late March, which was when the pieces began to draw a lot of attention from local people and train passengers alike. The people of Lop Buri, who used to avoid this neglected site, have now returned to enjoy the art. In the evening and during the night time, the wall has become a place where Lop Buri teenagers meet.
The artists will keep their murals for only a year, before covering them with new ones, probably next March.
The murals are not only a feast for the eyes, they are also encouraging locals to make their hometown more attractive. Since the unveiling, more people have asked if they can join the art project to unleash their creativity. And now Seri and his team are working on another mural project at Lop Buri Zoo.
This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.