Activity

40th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation Project

Japan-Thailand Exchange Art Exhibition

Sponsored by ：General Incorporated Association World Art and Culture Exchange

Cooperated by：National Silpakorn University Art Center
Supported by：Thai Red Cross Society / Prime Minister’s Office of Thailand/Embassy of Japan in Thailand /
Ministry of Education of Thailand / Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand /
Global Warming Mitigation Foundation of Thailand

 Endorsed as an event under the 40th Year of ASEAN-JAPAN Friendship and Cooperation, the “Japan-Thailand Exchange Art Exhibition” (hereinafter referred to as the “Exhibition”) was held for one week from November 21 to 27, 2013, at Sanam-Chandra Art Gallery (hereinafter referred to as the “Gallery”) of the Art Center of National Silpakorn University (hereinafter referred to as the “University”) in Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand.
In addition to the Exhibition of art works by Japanese and Thai artists, which was sponsored by General Incorporated Association World Art and Culture Exchange (hereinafter referred to as the “WAC”) and supervised by the University Art Center, seminars on Japanese art by visiting Japanese artists were held.
The Exhibition was held with focus on education exchange through art between Japan and Thailand, where the declaration of the formation of ASEAN was announced in 1967, and at the milestone anniversary of the 40th year of ASEAN-JAPAN Friendship and Cooperation.  279 pieces of art works were exhibited at the Exhibition, consisting of 270 Japanese art pieces and 9 representative pieces from Thailand, including works by the professors of the University.
This event happened to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the founding of the University, and such timing was certainly a heaven-sent opportunity for the Exhibition. It was also very meaningful for the Exhibition in a sense that we were able to provide university students with an opportunity to appreciate Japanese art works, as we emphasize the importance of art education in our activities.

November 21, 2013
The first day of our visit to Thailand: Opening ceremony

At 10:00am, a group of participants of the tour arrived at Sanam Chandra Art Gallery, which is about 65km west of Bangkok, and attended the opening ceremony of the Exhibition.
For the opening ceremony, we were honored by the presence of Prince Chatri Chalem Yukol, who has the rank of Serene Highness in the Thai Royal Family (hereinafter “Prince Chatri”) and Mr. Koji Tawara, First Secretary of the Japanese Embassy in Thailand, Khun Patcharaporn, Deputy Secretary General of Thai Prime Minister’s Office, and about 20 members, including officials of the International Zonda Club Thailand, which is the social contribution group by women, attending as local guests.

Commemorative photo of the Japanese artists with Prince Chatri in front of the Art Gallery

We were honored by the visit of Prince Chatri at the opening ceremony, celebrating the holding of the Exhibition.

(The second person from the left in the photo)

Appreciation of art works at the Exibition by Prince Chatri

November 22, 2013
Japanese artists were welcomed by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra！

  At 9:00am on November 22, a group of Japanese artists headed to Prime Minister’s Office. Around 10:00am, the Japanese artists with Akao, Senior Advisor, in the lead and the WAC officials involved were waiting in the audience room with beautiful furniture and decorations.
About 10 minutes later, Prime Minister Yingluck appeared. Although we have seen her on TV news and other media, it was the first time for us to meet her directly and not only the writer of this article, but also all the Japanese members present were certainly fascinated by her good-looking and intellectual atmosphere. Minister of Defence was also at present together with other senior officials.
Prime Minister Yingluck bowed slightly to the Japanese artists and sat on the chair next to Senior Advisor Akao.  For about forty minutes, the conversation took place in English and Mr. Akao expressed gratitude for the invitation and explained the purpose of the visit to Thailand at this time and the activities of WAC, including the frequent exchanges of art programs between Japan and Thailand.

 Prime Minister Yingluck, expressed her gratitude for the transfer of more than 200 pieces of art works to the Office of the Prime Minister as a token of real friendship with Thailand in June 2013.
Prime Minister expressed her congratulations on the success of the art exhibition at Silpakorn University Art Gallery and stated her belief that the Exhibition played an important role in promoting mutual understanding between Thailand and Japan and also in strengthening friendship between the two countries.
Cultural exchange is deemed an important part of the relationship between Japan and Thailand as well as Japan and ASEAN countries. Therefore, the Prime Minister hoped that all artists play an important role in promoting cultural exchange and contributing to friendly relations.

 The meeting with the Prime Minister lasted for about one  hour.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s Facebook
URL: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.666074483437010.1073742791.105044319540032&type=1

Royal Thai Government　Official Website
URL: http://www.thaigov.go.th/en/new-photos/221113_tro2.html

November 23, 2013
Art Seminar at Silpakorn University (including workshop)

 Around 10:00am, the group of Japanese artists and WAC parties concerned arrived at the Sanam Chandra Art Gallery.
At the entrance to the Gallery, a monument with inscription of the names of artists who participated in Japan-Thailand Art Exchange was exhibited. The visiting Japanese artists took photos, pointing their forefingers at their own name.
Around 11:00am, about 5 university students sat at each of 4 tables and joined the seminars by the Japanese artists.
The Japanese artists communicated with Thai students by their own unique methods such as a workshop format and question and answer format, and the sessions were completed in about one and a half hours.

Period: 21st-27th November 2013
Venue: National Silpakorn University’s Sanam Chandra Art Gallery