Chiang Sean Fine Arts Creativities based on Local History for Thailand Biennale, Chiang Rai 2023

Abstract

This research aimed to 1) analyze and synthesize Chiang Sean history, and 2) create contemporary art from Chiang Sean history. The research procedure was as follows; studied Chiang Sean history from primary sources such as legend and secondary sources of the analytical history, analyzed and synthesized the historical data to make local history of Chiang Sean paintings, rechecked the data by the experts, and artists, and historical academics by using focus group.

The results of the research found that the analyzed and synthesized Chiang Sean history for painting started from Lawajakkaraja Kingdom in 639 (B.E. 1181) to the present. The paintings were presented in 5 eras as follows: The first era of Lawajakkaraja Kingdom history from 638 to 1259 (B.E. 1181 – 1802) was presented in six paintings, the second era of King Mangrai history from 1259 to 1557 (B.E. 1802 – 2100) was presented in twenty-six paintings, the third era of being colonized by Myanmar from 1558 to 1774 ( B.E. 2101 -  2317) was presented in four paintings, the fourth era of being part of Siam from 1804 (B.E. 2347)  to the change from the absolute monarchy to be democracy with the King as Head of State in 1932 ( B.E. 2475) was presented in eight paintings, the fifth era of the era after the announcement of the change of government from 1933 ( B.E. 2476) to the end of the seventh National Economic and Social Development Plan in 1996 ( B.E. 2539) was presented in three paintings and the sixth era of the contemporary history from 1997 ( B.E. 2540)  to the present was presented in three paintings.

Four guidelines for the selection of the story of Chiang Sean local history for painting which was related to the creativity of historical wisdom concept as follows:   1) The data were directly and indirectly related to Chiang Sean, 2) the data were supported by the empirical evidence and the answers could be described, 3) The data could respond to the research objectives, and 4) The data was related to the culture and art of Chiang Sean.

The production of the historical paintings of Chiang Saen City is done in 2 formats: 1) Acrylic technique on canvas, size 45 x 60 cm., is a contemporary art work, using a variety of colors according to the story that is told, with only one artist creating it. 2) Acrylic technique on canvas, size 42 x 86 cm., is a contemporary Lanna style art work, using the canvas as a blood red base color, and the picture is gold, with many artists creating it. The style of the painting is appropriate for the storytelling style. The artist took the original picture to paint on the wall in the local area of ​​Chiang Saen, and the creation by many artists is a contemporary Lanna style art painting, so it is the style selected for the production of all 50 paintings.

50 paintings and Chiang Sean history data were presented in the art exhibition in the community to support creative tourism and the creative economy for the community with the benefit of the success of local businesses and the prosperity of the local community.