Tribute to the master

‘Life is short … art is longer” was the motto of Professor Silpa Bhirasri, the Italian sculptor who was born Corrado Feroci in 1892, came to Thailand at the age of 31 and went on to found Silpakorn University, Thailand’s first fine art institute.
 Known as the father of modern art, Silpa laid the foundation of Thai modern art in this country, teaching and pushing more than 2,000 students to become great artists until his death in 1962. Today marks the 120th anniversary of his birth.
To celebrate Silpa Bhirasri Day, Silpa’s favourite song “Santa Lucia” will once again being sung in front of his statue, which stands at the centre of Silpakorn University’s Tha Phra campus.
Born to a merchant family in Florence, Italy, the young Feroci showed artistic inclinations at an early age. He graduated from the Royal Art Academy of Florence and taught there from 1914 to 1923.
His life changed dramatically when he was selected by the Italian government, at the request of King Rama VI, to teach Western sculpture at the Fine Arts Department of the Ministry of Palace Affairs. He was appointed as a sculptor with the Royal Fine Arts Department in 1924 on a three-year contract at a salary of Bt800 a month.
He cooperated with Phra Saroj Ratana Nimman, head of Architecture Department in establishing the School of Fine Arts in 1933 and in 1943 the University of Fine Arts, which became Silpakorn University.
When Italy surrendered to the Allies during World War II, Feroci changed his name and became a Thai national in 1944 to avoid arrest by the occupying Japanese army.
Previously estranged from his wife in Italy, he married an Anglo-Thai.
Silpa first met Malinee in a boarding house where he lodged in his initial days in Thailand. He later married Malinee, who born to a British father, Cyril C Kenny, and a Thai mother, Malee Hitasakdi. They lived together until Silpa’s death in 1962.
Among the models for his masterpieces are Kings Rama I, V, VI VII and VIII. His remarkable works include the King Taksin statue at Wongwien Yai in Thon Buri, the Democracy Monument, the Victory Monument and the Walking Buddha statue in Nakhon Pathom’s Buddhamonthon.
“Silpa Bhirasri Day is Silpakorn alumni’s reunion. It’s our tradition to commemorate our professor who has done so much for Thai art, architecture and archaeology, as well as Buddhism in Thailand,” says Wijit Apichaitkriengkrai, manager of Silpa Bhirasri Research Centre.
Visitors can learn more about Silpa by visiting the Silpa Bhirasri Memorial Gallery. Located in Silpakorn University’s Tha Phra Campus, the gallery was once his office.
It houses a collection of the professor’s belongings, his masterpieces and the masterpieces created by his students. On display are his paintbrushes, sculpting tools, a typewriter, books, his uniform and even his daybed.
The artworks include pieces by his top students, among them Jirt Buabusaya, Fua Haripitak, Khien Yimsiri and Tawee Nandakhwang and Sawadi Tantisuk. These artists draw on such European movements as impressionism, post-impressionism, expressionism and cubism.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to view two rare documentary videos of Silpa working on his masterpieces. One is a home movie that shows Silpa and his student Sithidet Saenghiran creating the huge statue of King Taksin. On loan from the Thai Film Archive, the black and white documentary is on display along with his sculptures at the “Thai Trends” exhibition at Bangkok Art and Centre.
On Silpa Bhirasri Day – today – the video will be screened at Silpakorn University before going back to the BACC until November 4.
The other historic video is on loan from the Royal Thai Railway. It depicts Silpa surveying the archaeological site of Wat Kubua in Ratchaburi.
The centre will present anniversary coins to Silpa’s living students, among them Chuang Mulpinit, Prateep Sawangsuk, Manote Konganan, Kamchorn Soopongsri, Lawan Upa-in and sculptor Charoon Angsawanon.
At 7 tonight, students and alumni will gather to sing “Santa Lucia” while lighting candles in front of Prof Silpa’s statue. The party and museum visits continue through 9pm.

FINE ARTS
The Silpa Bhirasri Reseach Centre is open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm. Admission is free.