V. Nourishment for human souls
Part 5 of an international solo on ”Lanna“ by Lim Siang Jin. This online exhibition on contemporary photography, comprising 20 parts, is from May 6 to June 5, 2025
JUST beyond the world of spirituality lies the realm of art—another essential nourishment for the human soul. When we create and experience art, we fulfil our deepest need to express and understand what makes us human. In this sacred space, people like Inson Wongsam serve not just as Thai artists, but as vital bridges between the old and the new. Born in Lamphun in 1934, he studied at Silpakorn University under Corrado Feroci (Silpa Bhirasri), the Italian-Thai sculptor who inspired his blend of old and new. When I saw his work, I noticed how he weaves Thai motifs—Buddhist symbols, Lai Thai patterns—into bold, modern forms. He never rejected Western influence, but he never let it define him either. As a National Artist of Thailand and founder of Dhamma Park Gallery, his legacy is clear: Thai art can evolve while staying true to its roots.
Journey that changed everything
IN THE 1960s, Inson Wongsam embarked on a remarkable journey. After graduating from Silpakorn University, he set off alone on a Lambretta scooter, traveling from Thailand to Europe. Along the way, he stopped to paint, immersing himself in diverse cultures and artistic traditions. In Paris, he enrolled at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs and spent three years absorbing the postwar avant-garde art scene. Rather than simply adopting Western styles, Inson used these experiences to reflect on his own heritage, blending Thai traditional elements with modernist abstraction. This journey was not a rejection of his roots but a deep exploration that later allowed him to redefine Thai art on the global stage.
This picture shows part of a Lambretta painted by Inson at the Chiang Rai Contemporary Art Museum (CCAM). I thought it was symbolic of Inson’s spirit as a young man. The front mudguard looks like the head of an eagle pointing forward. I modified the colours to suit a combination of excitement, focussed determination and anxiety.
A Master’s legacy in motion
IN HIS LATER YEARS, Inson wasn’t just creating art—he was shaping the next generation. I saw this in Learning from the Masters (200cm x 1,000cm), a mural at his Dhamma Park Gallery. The painting feels like a journey, blending traditional Thai elements with bold modernist influences. It reflects his deep respect for his mentors, from Silpa Bhirasri to European modernists, while also encouraging new artists to find their own voices. Like temple murals meant to teach and inspire, this work is more than just a painting—to me, it’s an invitation to honour the past while reimagining the future. I photographed it at an angle that reflects its dynamism.
Fusion of hearts and art
INSON and his wife, Venetia Walkey (also known as Wanida Wongsam), shared a remarkable partnership that blended their artistic visions and cultural backgrounds. Venetia, a British sculptor-painter renowned for her evocative abstract forms, collaborated closely with Inson, co-founding the Dhamma Park Gallery in Lamphun. This gallery still houses some of Wanida’s works. Their works are best reflected in a 2011 retrospective exhibition in Bangkok entitled: The Two Journeys: Retrospective of Two Artists Inspirations The Birth of Dhamma Park where several hundred pieces were exhibited.
For more information, click on links: Stephen Menon, O Art Space Gallery, Lim Siang Jin and his art, here and here. For a detailed acknowledgment, click here