A farewell to His Majesty
“King of Kings”, an exhibition in honor of Thailand’s late monarch, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, by American artist and musician Maura Moynihan, is on show at Cassia Gallery in Bangkok from today until October 14.
Moynihan says she is honoured to have her first exhibition at Bangkok’s Cassia Gallery.
“There was no leader in the world that I admired more than King Bhumibol” she says. “He was a visionary humanitarian who devoted his life to the welfare of his people, a gifted artist who excelled in science and statecraft, and a diplomat and soldier who faithfully preserved the ancient rites of Siamese kingship.”
She was inspired to paint a series of portraits of the King working from iconic photographs that for decades have hung everywhere from Buddhist temples to markets and Thai household.
“I loved and admired Thailand’s ‘People’s King’, a catalyst of modern Asia who steered his nation through massive social, economic and political transformations, whose vision and energy made Thailand the most stable and prosperous country in Southeast Asia. When I joined the tens of thousands of Thai citizens at Sanam Luang on October 22, 2016, to sing the royal anthem under the baton of Somtow Sucharitkul, I was profoundly moved by the love and respect the Thai people felt for this great and good man,” said Moynihan.
Moynihan first visited Thailand in the 1970s when her father, Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, served as the US Ambassador to India. Her love for the people and culture of Thailand continues to this day. “King Bhumibol was a great inspiration to Thai painters: after his passing on October 13th 2016 I attended many art expositions about the King throughout Thailand, and decided to express my appreciation for this unique monarch by painting my own series of portraits, which allowed me to study the astounding range of his talents and interests in greater detail; truly, his was one of the most remarkable lives of our times.”
Moynihan spent many years working with the artist Andy Warhol at Interview Magazine and "Andy Warhol’s TV". Warhol launched Moynihan’s career as an artist and musician. She has held many art exhibitions in Asia and the USA, and recorded three albums: “Yoga Hotel”, “Bombay Superstar” and “Bangkok Taxi”, inspired by Thailand’s capital city. She has published two best-selling works of fiction and spent many years as a contributor for Radio Free Asia and the Asian Age.
Cassia Gallery is located in Sukhumvit 31. For more information, visit (02) 258 4607.
