“Art” is a mirror of culture, society and a way of life of people in different geographical areas. Who they are and what they become can be narrated through art and sustain the human spirit and civilisations for centuries.
Fueled by a passion for art and awareness of its value, Thavorn Ko-Udomvit, a Thai artist who is renowned for his elaborate paintings and print works for over 40 years, has created masterpieces of architecture that are a marriage of natural and artistic beauty.
Mr Thavorn, a former vice-rector of the country’s leading art institute, Silpakorn University (SU), reinvented himself from artist to proprietor of “Nhapha Khao Yai Resort”, a recreational sanctuary that combines a harmonious composition of nature and exquisite man-made artworks.
The eight-room resort sits in a former marble mine surrounded by nature in Khao Yai in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Pak Chong district.
Mr Thavorn said his resort was built to conform to the concept of living harmoniously with nature. He chose to fit his resort’s building structures into a setting that features natural stone architecture.
The veteran artist recounted that he crystallised the resort’s concept when he purchased the land from a former owner and noticed that rock blasting had left the surrounding in a unique shape that resembles a cliff jutting out. The “Nhapha” in the resort’s title also means “cliff”.
Mr Thavorn finds time to cook for his guests at the resort.
Those who check into the natural hideout will also experience interior design decorated with several artworks.
Aside from natural recreation, the resort’s visitors will also experience aesthetic values and knowledge of art. Children who accompanied their families to the resort can also learn to draw and paint in a class Mr Thavorn himself teaches.
Besides the resort’s distinguished architectural style, the place offers unique cuisine with art and cooking styles initiated by Mr Thavorn who attends to the guests’ needs and demands himself.
Despite the place having been open for only a year and a half, it is popular with Thai and foreign visitors, so much so that it was voted the country’s top resort by TripAdvisor, the popular travel website.
At 60, Mr Thavorn said he plans to turn the resort into a hub of music and art by hosting a small-scale opera concert catering to an audience of no more than 100.
The event, which is part of the art activities provided for the resort’s guests, will also help promote art awareness among Thais. He is now discussing the project with the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Mr Thavorn said his artwork concept is inspired by his own experiences, shaped by the evolving social context.
His deep passion for art is also the result of inspirations received from several renowned artists such as Prof Silpa Bhirasri, the Italian-born sculptor who is regarded as the father of modern art in Thailand and the founder of SU, as well as the late Thawan Duchanee, a well-known contemporary artist.
Aside from Nhapha Khao Yai Resort, Mr Thavorn is also on a team of designers for the Khao Yai Art Museum, a venue for art exhibitions that feature masterpieces by the country’s leading artists such as Thawan, Chalermchai Kositpipat and Chalood Nimsamer.
The latest painting by Mr Thavorn is unveiled before being shown at an exhibition.
In the four decades of his involvement in art, Mr Thavorn has come to be recognised for his dedication, and for being able to harness his artistic skills to make a living.
Many of his works have been displayed in art galleries in Bangkok as well as the Buddha Monthon Buddhist park in Nakhon Pathom province, as his craftwork is admired by art aficionados far and wide.
“My works can be sold because I always initiate new ideas which are not restricted by culture, social norms and traditions. My first-hand experiences in life are also applied to my works,” Mr Thavorn said.
He is also passionate about reading, regarding books as helping to broaden his knowledge and horizons, which is most useful for creating art.
Hailing from a merchant family in Bangkok, the young Thavorn grew up with his elder sister who was adept at drawing and who influenced his dream career in art.
Against his parents’ wishes, Mr Thavorn took a decisive step which marked a crucial turning point in his life by attending the Poh-Chang Academy of Art. He went on to obtain his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in graphic arts from SU’s Faculty of Painting, Sculpture and Graphic Arts in 1980 and 1986. While his university peers spent time hanging out, Mr Thavorn took up an apprenticeship under several veteran art teachers. He participated in their art workshops to absorb their techniques so that he would be able to adapt them to produce his own stylised works.็
His art skills have been developed based on theories and deliberate practices.
“Art workshops greatly helped me hone my skills. Also, it helped encourage students to create their own works,” Mr Thavorn said.
Nhapha Khao Yai resort is sited on an old mine with some rooms perched on top of boulders resembling cliffs.
In 1982, he won an art fieldwork scholarship to study in the US from the Asian Cultural Council which seeks funding from private individuals, foundations and companies to strengthen ties between the United States and the countries of Asia. Mr Thavorn said living abroad gave him challenging opportunities to work with several top global artists at various international arts-related agencies. He admitted he almost gave up on his dream of becoming artist many times but he soldiered on.
After returning to Thailand, he landed a teaching job at SU’s Faculty of Painting, Sculpture and Graphic Arts and was later promoted to university vice-rector.
Mr Thavorn has been invited to lecture at many art institutes in the country and overseas. His art has won numerous awards from domestic and international art events.
He has held many solo exhibitions. He is also recognised as being the leading art gallery manager in Thailand. Among art galleries run by him is Ardel Gallery of Modern Art in Bangkok’s Thawi Watthana district.
Despite being occupied by his resort, Mr Thavorn has never even thought of abandoning his art. He continues to lecture at many institutes as well as create paintings and prints at the Khao Yai Art Museum.
The resort doubles as a music and art venue which welcomes aspiring painters.
Thavorn Ko-Udomvit applies the finishing touches to a painting. Art has been his passion for over 40 years, but these days he fits it in with his duties as boss of Nhapha Khao Yai Resort. photos by Nauvarat Suksamran
This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.