That Kong Khao Noi
Tattadtong Kongkhao Noi No.1 by Boonmun Khumsaad
The picture of ‘Kong Khao Noi’ in the middle of painting resembles a pagoda. With a closer look, the Kranok patterns (Traditional Thai pattern) and gradient effects from pens meticulously fill the space.
Tattadtong Kongkow Noi No.1 (1990) by Boonmun Khumsaad Art Centre Silpakorn University
The artist intends to convey an impression of local Isan (North-eastern Thai)’s narrative or folktales which is explain the history of an ancient stupa in Tatthong sub-district, Yasothon province.
This particular folktale follows the story of a farmer’s son who impatiently waits for a lunch box from his mother during the break. Eventually, he loses his temper and kills his mother after seeing the small amount of food in the sticky rice container.
The art combines symbolic pictures from the folktale such as the sticky rice container of the North-eastern Thais which are layered vertically and symmetrically, a picture of a guardian angel above, and the blue gradiently drawn pagoda structure in the background.
Moreover, the visual details also include rice paddy, animals, and monsters that are bound by yoke and plow, depicting the sinful acts according to Buddhist teachings.
Those who pursue bad deeds are obstructed; those who have temptations are bound; and the son who commits matricide is linked to the yoke.
Tattadtong Kongkow Noi No.1 (1990) by Boonmun Khumsaad Art Centre Silpakorn University
The stream filled with fish and monsters and black, red, and blue drawings are associated with the Buddhist belief of unwholesome roots: greed, hatred, and delusion.
The gold offering tray surrounded by guardian angels represents a Bhuddhist depicting merits and salvation that the son who constructs the pagoda to bury his mother’s ashes at the end.
With fine points of black and red pens that assemble Thai paintings, the density of each line, and the colors that distinguish each shape, the artist’s perspective towards local custom and traditions are beautifully expressed.
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