‘Naughty writer’ Prabda among winners of Silpathorn Awards

‘Naughty writer’ Prabda among winners of Silpathorn Awards

By PHATARAWADEE PHATARANAWIK 
THE NATION

From left, designer Korakot Aromdee, architect Amata Lupaiboon, artist Kamin Lertchaiprasert, theatre director Suwandee Jakravoravudh, author Prabda Yoon, filmmaker Urupong Raksasad and music composer Pongprom Sanitwong na Ayudhya.

BANGKOK: -- MULTI-TALENTED author Prabda Yoon, indie film-maker Urupong Raksasad, music composer Pongprom Sanitwong Na Ayudhya, veteran conceptual artist Kamin Letchaiprasert and veteran theatre director Suwandee Jakravoravudh are among the seven winners of this year’s Silpathorn Awards presented by the Culture Ministry.

After skipping the awards for the past three years, the ministry’s Contemporary Art and Culture Office presented them to the seven artists.

The awards are prizes for mid-career artists aged between and 35 and 55 whose prominent works have been acclaimed both locally and internationally.

This year’s other two winners are architect Amata Lupaiboon and designer Korakot Aromdee. 

Culture Minister Vira Rojpojchanarat yesterday presented Silpathorn Award pins and cash prizes of Bt100,000 to each of the winners. 

Their works are being presented at a mini-exhibition at the Rachadamnoen Art and Culture Centre until September 17.

Both the young author Prabda and film-maker Urapong, whose works are categorised in the avant-garde genre, were surprise choices for the prestigious award.

“I was a bit surprised when I heard that I won this award from the Culture Ministry, as I’m a naughty writer,” Prabda told The Nation. 

“However, I’m happy to be honoured by the ministry and thank the judges, who are respected persons from the Thai literary scene. I hope the ministry will continue to support contemporary artists in the long term like foreign countries do,” said Prabda, who is now working on a new film and novel.

Urapong, who is famous for his films “Song for Rice” and “Ugrarian Utopia”, was also surprised.

“I did not expect to receive this award. As I’ve only made two feature films, it’s so soon. However, I’m very happy and it will encourage me more to continue making quality films,” said Urapong, who also teaches at Thammasat University.

Kamin, 53, whose works are inspired by Buddhism, said he was also happy and that “no matter if I won this award or not, I would keep making art”.

The award, established in 2004 when the Culture Ministry split from the Education Ministry, aims to honour and encourage Thai contemporary artists.

The Contemporary Art and Culture Office annually presents the awards to artists, aside from the hiatus from 2014 to 2016. Sixty winners have been honoured in the fields of visual art, literature, music, film, performing art, design and architecture.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/lifestyle/30325777

 

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