Chinese Drawings

Chinese Drawings at Bangkok’s National Museum

During our visit, the Bangkok National Museum, which is generally dedicated to preserving Thailand’s cultural heritage through its varied collections of art, anthropological, archaeological, cultural, and ethnographic material displayed in the Palace of Wang Na (near the Grand Palace, which itself hosts the remarkable Green Buddha), we enjoyed a wonderful traveling exhibit of contemporary Chinese drawings. Bangkok’s little visited museum is a quiet, rewarding break from the hubbub of a great city. It features 2-d art, traveling shows, a small sculpture garden and studio, and a café.

The Gallery of Thai History is located in the Sivamokhaphiman Hall, the Prehistory Galley at the rear of the building, the museum’s History of Art collection is in the south and north wings while the minor arts, including such interesting objects as the Royal Cremation Chariots and various ceremonial objects are on display in other buildings within the compound. Importantly, the center also hosts traveling exhibits and other work. On our visit a charming display of local portraits celebrating the monarch was there, as was the collection of Chinese drawings.

Contemporary Chinese Work

Several large, tranquil, and entirely suitable spaces were set aside for the suite of Chinese drawings on display some time back at the Bangkok National Art Museum. These included a selection of large works, such as a set from Chen Xinmao’s “Historic Book Series,” (2001), as well as drawings by Li Huasheng (1999) 197X196 cm; Bai Ming (2003) “permeating-corresponding-overlapping,” 140X267; and Shen Quin’s “mountain” (1986) 150X130cm. Although a thorough critique of this moving and excellent is far beyond the scope of this brief article, perhaps the most obvious element communicated was the powerful negotiation taking place between deeply traditional ways of “dealing” with paper, especially with pigment and with ink, the emerging and dynamic political situation of the Pacific setting, and the extraordinary vitality of creative forces available. Perhaps it’s easy to imagine that all creative energy is flowing toward the technical edge of the methods envelope – digital imaging and electronic reproduction of various kinds. These artists are handling utterly basic materials and entirely formal and elemental questions with astonishing creative resolve.

Wang Huang Shen’s multiple media “Civilization Sacrifice” does involve more than just the traditional media (as do some other of the show’s drawings). And, indeed, I found it to be the most impressive construction-assemblage in the presentation among many strong representative pieces. Other objects may very well be more suitable for particular spaces, especially smaller environments or long term exhibit. Civilization Sacrifice, which involved debris, found articles, drawings, electronic media, and performance, as well a music, in part focused on the terrorist act which destroyed the twin towers in New York. However, as is always the case, Wang Huang Shen’s large assembly spoke to larger issues as well.



The museum is open Wednesday-Sunday 9.00am.- 4.00pm. with an admission fee of 40 bahts; the telephone numbers are: 66 -2- 224-1404 , 224-1333 , 221-1842; fax. 224-1404 , 224-9911
It is located near the Phramane Grounds, the Thammasat University, and National Theatre
Use bus # 3,6, or 39