Thawan Duchanee

In 1958, he continued his studies in the Department of Painting, Sculpture, and Graphic Arts at Silpakorn University.

Thawan Duchanee studied at Chiengrai Vidhayakhome School, Samakkhi Witthayakhom School and Poh-Chang Academy of Arts. Training under Silpa Bhirasri is recorded. The recorded working language is Lanna, Thai and English. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are buddhist. Places of work recorded in the authority are Chiang Rai. Works named in the authority record are Baan Dam Museum. Distinctions recorded are Order of the Direkgunabhorn, National Artist of Thailand and Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize.

• Name — Thawan Duchanee • Native Name — ถวัลย์ ดัชนี • Born — 27 September 1939 • Birthplace — Chiang Rai, Thailand • Died — 3 September 2014 • Place of death — Bangkok, Thailand • Years Active — 1939–2014 • Occupation — *Painter • architect • sculptor

Thawan appeared to be a prodigiously gifted artist from childhood. In his youth, he developed a deep and consuming passion for Buddhism, which later became a central influence in his art. However, his attitude toward artistic practice changed significantly during his studies at Silpakorn University, where he belonged to the last generation of students taught by Silpa Bhirasri. Although Thawan consistently received high grades for his drawing work throughout his university studies, he earned a low grade in Silpa Bhirasri’s drawing class. When questioned, his teacher explained, “Your fish have no fishy smell, your birds cannot fly through the air, and your horses cannot be ridden or made to run. You are merely a copier, not a true artist.” This critique became a turning point in Thawan’s artistic development. From that moment on, he began working in a radically different way, eventually emerging as one of the most outstanding students of his generation.

After three months of hospitalizations because of complications from hypertension and diabetes. Thawan died of liver failure on September 3, 2014, at the age of 74. The funeral was held at Wat Debsirindrawas in Bangkok. The honoured cremation was bestowed by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

Thawan was the first engraver using a new technique. He used special ballpoint pen to create engravings containing millions of strokes. After working in this way for a while, a doctor suggested him to stop because the way he worked had a disastrous effect on his health. Thawan also created the painting by Zen brush in order to present a Zen philosophy in artistic form. The unique characteristic of Thawan’s painting including not only form and religious story but also the colour he used. After learning about Chinese, Indian and Japanese artworks which characteristic is monochrome painting, He was inspired to paint in black and white in order to precisely express inner feelings. Thawan is not only famous for his paintings but also architecture. His architectural masterpiece is the Black House. It was the residence for Thawan for the rest of his life.

• Buddhist Meditation Room • The Biggest Work of the Painter is not a Painting

His artworks are not widely accepted in the first place. A group of student demonstration destroyed his works because they considered them as religious insults. His paintings, however, eventually are mastered and valued as can be seen nowadays. His artworks has been compared with the artworks of Chalermchai Kositpipat, a fellow-Chiang Rai junior artist. There is a saying "Chalerm Sawan, Thawan Narok" (เฉลิมสวรรค์ ถวัลย์นรก; "Chalerm the Heaven, Thawan the Hell"), because Chalermchai's works focus on elevating the mind, cleanliness, Buddhism or spiritual stories. While Thawan's works are powerful, focusing on the dark side or passion in the human mind.

The authorities additionally record the heading Thawan Datchani. His recorded languages were Lanna, Thai, English and Dutch. His recorded confession was Theravāda.

Thawan Duchanee is recorded as having received Order of the Direkgunabhorn, National Artist of Thailand and Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize.

Buddhist references have played an important role in Thawan’s works. According to one of notable works, a series of Ramayana paintings he presented all of the characters in his own interpretation. Thawan earned a worldwide reputation as a Thai contemporary artist from these buddhist painting. “Art is beyond nature and intellect” Thawan said. He gave priority to human artistic creativity in artworks.

Thawan Duchanee is recorded as having studied at Chiengrai Vidhayakhome School, Samakkhi Witthayakhom School and Poh-Chang Academy of Arts.