By Itsarin Tisantia
Photos courtesy of Bangkok Post
Teacher’s Day on January 16 is a special day for students to express gratitude toward their teachers who tirelessly provide invaluable knowledge and guidance throughout their schooling.
For this week’s Exercises, SW takes a look at one of the most remarkable and famed art teachers that Thailand has ever known.
Emeritus Professor Prayad Pongdam, who was a highly respected university lecturer and National Artist, passed away at the age of 79 in September last year.
ARTISTIC MIND
Born on October 28, 1934, Prayad was a native of Sing Buri. He started studying art at Poh Chang School, which was Thailand’s first art school. He finished a Bachelor’s degree in painting from Silpakorn University, where he also assisted celebrated artist Professor Silpa Bhirasri in teaching fundamental art.
Prayad then received a scholarship from the university to study for a diploma of fine arts at L’Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma in Italy. After graduation, he became a lecturer at the university in 1961.
TOP TEACHER
Prayad occupied many important positions at Silpakorn University, from the department head to the chancellor of the Faculty of Painting, Sculpture and Graphic Arts.
He was a guest lecturer at many art institutions nationwide and was also often invited to be a judge for national and international art contests.
NATIONAL ARTIST
During more than five decades of dedication to art and teaching, Prayad produced countless artworks, many of which won international awards. Among his masterpieces are the illustrations he created for the well-known novel The Story of Mahajanaka by His Majesty the King.
Prayad was named an Honourable Artist in the field of painting by L’Accademia Florentina delle Arti del Disegno in Italy. He was also named a National Artist in the field of visual arts (painting) in Thailand in 1998.
Exercises
Read the story and decide whether the following statements are true or false.
1. Prayad died when he was 97 years old.
………………….
2. Prayad studied for a Bachelor’s degree in painting at L’Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma.
………………….
3. Prayad was born in 1934.
………………….
4. Prayad was named a National Artist in 1989.
………………….
Vocabulary
- tirelessly (adv): with lot of hard work and energy over a long period of time
celebrated (adj): famous for having good qualities
masterpiece (n): a work of art such as a painting, film, book, etc. that is an excellent, or the best, example of the artist’s work
