Peaceful, shady, cheerful – that’s the feeling after visiting this place.
‘Seri Art Gallery’ or Seri Art Gallery is the place we talked about in the sentence above. Who do we believe frequents this place? Everyone must have had the same thought flashing into their heads. ‘Lampang Province Is there a space like this?’
It’s great that this small province has a space for people to immerse themselves and immerse themselves in art.
Seri Art Gallery is located in Ko Kha District, Lampang Province, which is in the same area as Earth & Fire Ceramics, a ceramic factory and showroom that has been open for 31 years. The surrounding atmosphere is calm and peaceful. Hear the sounds of nature clearly Surrounded by shady green space. With a large pond to rest your eyes.
The origin of the idea that initiated the creation of this art gallery was Ekarit Praditsuwan
Ekrit is a fashionable person (ahead of his time). He thinks quickly, acts quickly, and has tried many things. Both house design furniture design product design Making a ceramic factory Make books and magazines, make art galleries.
He opened his first art gallery at the age of just 24, named ‘Free Art Gallery’ after an elder he respected. These are the adults who have always encouraged and supported him in his artistic endeavors. In other words, it also means freedom.
After the Seri Art Gallery in Bangkok closed, Ekarit revived that breath again in Lampang.
Previously, he lived in Chiang Mai province. Must give credit to COVID-19. That was the catalyst for the creation of this gallery in Ko Kha District on an area of 20 rai, which is the location of the ceramic factory that Ekrit founded.
“Thanks to COVID-19 It was a turning point in my life. That time allowed me to sit down and write every day. Very fun and challenging Because I set a goal to write 1,500 pictures, at that time I wrote 300 pictures and hung the pictures in many rooms until there was no place to put them. So I decided to come and create an art gallery in Lampang. The first thought was that I was doing it for myself.
“To hang a picture of myself Dust won’t stick to it. When anyone comes to visit, I’ll take you for a walk. It’s really cool and has its own gallery. When it first opened, it was an exhibition of its own work. Then an artist came to introduce himself and asked if he would like to join in the exhibition. When the second exhibition was held, there were also 2-3 people who had art to show their work. When people came to see the work, they became arrogant. If you want to organize a third exhibition, announce the artist. There were 52 artists responding from all over the country.”
This is a very welcome success for a new art gallery that has only been open for less than a year. It is also an art gallery that provides opportunities Open space for emerging and small local artists to exhibit their work.
“This is not my gallery anymore. You see, it’s really free.” A small smile appeared on his face.
A giant black box encases a work of art. It is the design work of Ekrit. He designed the space to be open and airy. Sweep your eyes and see every piece of art. And there is a staircase leading to the mezzanine.
“My art gallery is a standard art gallery. Use a light steel structure. No consumables used There is flexibility in exhibiting. And there are many different kinds of exhibitions. I have no limits. Come on,” he invited.
“I want this to be an Underground Gallery, a starting point for people who have skills but are not yet famous.”
Ekrit is an art gallery owner and artist. Sometimes he takes on the role of curator. He wants more people to come and visit the area. The more groups, the more he likes it. Ekrit is happy to take tours and share information and knowledge that he has with visitors. A group of architecture students has visited this place many times.
“I want to make art easily accessible. and want people who come to the free art gallery feel euphoric Until he heard in his heart that beauty could help him. Beauty is soothing. and beauty sustains the world
“During the first opening, there were artists and art lovers who gradually came. Some came to shake my hand to thank me. In my heart, I thought that this place had shaken them this much. To the point of bringing a group of students to see it several times. Until I realized that what I was doing was really important. From the beginning I was doing it for fun. It turns out that it stimulates other people’s feelings too. I thank everyone who came to support me. I myself feel lucky to have created this place.”
Seri Art Gallery wants to grow gradually and be generous to others. In the future, he wants this area to be a small community, maybe with good shops and like-minded young people gathering together.
Of course, he would like to see art galleries pop up in more provinces in Thailand. Not only because beauty helps to nourish the mind. But it can be extended to tourism. Ekrit said If we make the art gallery so good that it becomes a landmark that people want to come see. That will create spending and create a circular economy in the local area.
As well as the Seri Art Gallery, which he wants to become a destination for visitors to Lampang, within the 20 rai area there is also a cafe that supports local coffee and cocoa beans. There is a ceramic painting workshop. There is a ceramic showroom where you can buy products from Lampang artisans to take home. Compact accommodations are available at affordable prices.
Importantly, there is also Artist in Residence, which allows artists to stay and create art.
Coming soon, the Seri Art Gallery will present its 4th exhibition ‘The Colorful Expressionism’, featuring 5 Thai Expressionist artists: Asst. Prof. Dr. Somporn Taemprasit, Atthi Wiriyapornprapas, Chaiphan Thanakornwat, Noppadon Netdee and Ekarit Praditsuwan
The exhibition opens on May 5 and will be on display until July 5, 2024.
Ekrit also offers watercolor classes. If interested, inquire at Facebook: Seri Art Gallery.
Seri Art Gallery
Tags: Seri Art Gallery art gallery Lampang Open space unnamed artists potential city leaders
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