Close Window

Paiboon

"My name is Paiboon Larsomsri. I was born on January 12, 1965 and grew up with three sisters. My father passed away and I have only my mother now. I am married and we have two children. We live with love and do everything following my parents' teachings, for they gave me lots of love and warmth. We live quite harmoniously with all our relatives, harmony brought by my mother holding a central position in our lives.

"I grew up in a rural area with nice people. When I was a kid, my parents took me to the temple to listen to the dharma. I have loved art ever since I can remember. As a kid I led my friends to animal sculptures out of raw soil.

"At school, I had great grades and was the best of the class. I loved sports, mainly football and running. I would help everyone, my teachers and my friends and they had elected me the class leader. But then I studied in Bangkok and everything deteriorated as I associated with bad company and chose wrong paths. Although my mother was the only one working, she managed to send me away from all that to study fine arts in a smaller city.

"I liked art so much that it put me back on track. I particularly loved sculpting, printing, drawing and sketching, and was even selected to display my works in several contests. I received a diploma in product design, minoring in ceramics, at the Northern Institute of Technology. There, the ceramic curriculum freed my thoughts, taught me and improved many of my techniques. Once graduated, I pursued a bachelor's degree in industrial design with a minor in ceramic design in Bangkok. I learned how to design utilitarian and beautiful ceramics.

"After graduation, I came back home and became a teacher at the Northern Institute of Technology in 1989. I pioneered the department when I opened a ceramic curriculum. I teach students, but also make ceramics for pleasure and at times support the local ceramic industry. But I am still developing my own ceramic skills since I am now studying for a master's degree in industrial ceramics.

"My life is highly involved with rural areas. I like to participate and help society. I am a Buddhist and I like to draw architectural subjects and paint religious and historical subjects seen on temple walls. My curriculum is also highly involved with religion, culture and tradition. After graduating with my BA I was ordained for 15 days, learned Buddha's teachings and now live according to the dharma. My culture and traditions are omnipresent. I am a fervent supporter of traditional festivals such as Loy Kratong, Songkran and other important Buddhist days. I think I hand down culture and tradition in every work I create.

"I once made wall tiles telling the story of our king's grandfather's work with hill tribes. This artwork was hard because it was 30 meters by 40 meters large, and I had never done similar work before. It is now recorded in history for future generations. The most remarkable moment in my life was when I received first prize plus a special prize from the Prime Minister himself in the Handicrafts Product Contest. This gave my institute and myself prestige. I have also exhibited solo several times. I received a first prize for handiwork design, a second prize for ceramic design, etc.

"I start every piece of work with a vague mixture of beauty, art appreciation, our Thai way of life and culture, shapes, motifs and colors. Next I narrow this mixture down with a concept of utility and purpose. Finally I follow my teachers' techniques and my own experience to put this mixture into concrete and practical form… into a beautifully glazed accessory for people's homes. My art has a long-standing local history; I live in a land of ancient arts, crafts and culture.

"I live by five concepts. First of all my family. I will stand by them no matter what - they are everything. I will give them incessant love and warmth. Secondly the economy. I will abide by one of our king's teachings, that is, live only with enough. Thirdly my job. I will be a responsible and generous teacher. I will teach my students all I know to the best of my ability and will not expect anything in return from them. I firmly believe that the value of a person lies in the result of his work. Fourthly society. I will help make society better and the world a better place; I will do favors, pardon, will not hurt and will live with love and harmony. Lastly my art. I will create art depicting Thai people's lives, culture and customs, a concept that will preserve the character of my nation.

"Novica, you are a creative force in a planet made of borders for you make this world devoid of borders. To me, you have the skill to take good and quality works of art to people around the world. You give good things to artisans and clients alike. You are giving an opportunity for every artist by publicizing his or her works to the world. You are disseminating arts, culture and tradition for people who do not know about them. You make people know about the real Thailand. My works are unique! In every piece I do I put my heart, sweat, old-generation techniques, artistic beauty, and Thai culture. I present you here with something so important to me – I present you my art, my heart, my life and my passion. I present you with the best of me and I hope it will be the best for you too. Thank you very much."