After more than six months since it called for submissions, the annual Italthai Portrait Prize has announced its three winners for 2023 in three categories: The Grand Prize, the Packing Room Prize, and the Youth Prize.
The jury panel that judged the portraits included Italthai CEO Yuthachai Charanachitta, art collector Tom van Blarcom, River City managing director Linda Cheng, magazine editor and socialite Naphalai Areesorn, and the River City curator team.
The Grand Prize was awarded to Thepporn Prikphet, who painted a portrait of his cat-loving mother entitled “Bliss”. The art piece perfectly highlights her relaxed stance, casual outfit, uneven skin tone, and warm smile. The work is praised for its fine details, as if it were a photograph that captured the moment. Thepporn’s award included B500,000 prize money.
The Packing Room Prize, an award voted for by River City exhibition curators, was given to Jakkrit Srisongkram, whose portrait of his aunt, “A Beloved Aunt with a Frail Body”, examines the grief, loneliness, and fragility of his old aunt who raised him and has recently lost her sister. Jakkrit received a B200,000 cash prize.
The Youth Prize, which we are most excited about since it’s given to aspiring young artists, went to 16-year-old Suprakorn Punyasong, whose portrait of cousin, “Childhood Memory”, was inspired by an old photograph from days spent with their grandmother and the time when he discovered his passion for painting. The young artist was awarded B100,000.
Another prize has yet to be awarded: the People's Choice Prize and it needs your vote. The process is simple. Visit the Portrait Prize gallery on the 2nd floor of River City and vote for your favorite. The painter of the winning portrait, which will be announced on November 12, will receive a prize of B100,000.
More information here.