HIRANKUL, SUJARIT (1946-1982)

“Floating Houses, Siam” (1973)
Oil on canvas
70 x 85cm
Signed lower centre
*purchased from the artist’s studio
*private collection, Sydney
 
Sujarit was an important Thai Impressionist. He was a prolific painter of his day, selling such idyllic scenes to Western tourists. He often painted delightful visions of Southeast Asian rural life, deceptively joyful and bright, reflecting a romanticized view of Thailand in the early 1970s. With war raging in neighbouring countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Burma and Malaysia, Contemporary artists in South East Asia like Sujarit sought to promote an idealized vision for Westerners. Tragically he died prematurely at 36.