Since opening for entries in March, art lovers have been buzzing with excitement over who would take home the prizes in Thailand’s national portraiture competition.
And the wait is finally over! Now in its fourth year, with more than 237 entries, the three winners for 2024 in the Portrait Prize, Packing Room Prize and Youth Prize categories have been unveiled.
This live portrait painting competition offers an opportunity for both amateur and professional artists to showcase their talents to the public by expressing their unique style of portraiture using a variety of techniques. Artists are free to choose any individuals to be their subjects as long as that person sits for them at least once.
In a ceremony which took place at River City Bangkok on September 26, the painting My Girl My Gang by artist Nuttawut Kaiwansin was awarded the Portrait Prize and a cash prize of B500,000. Nuttawut took home the grand prize for a portrait of his girlfriend, which the jury noted reflects the many new and future generations in Thailand today.
The Youth Prize, awarded to a young artist under 16, was given to Rattasil Somoppahad for his painting Waiting For This Moment For So Long. The work depicts two girls who are the artist's friends and he feels grateful to have them in his life. The young artist received a cash prize of B100,000.
Both winners were selected by a panel of judges including Yuthachai Charanachitta, CEO of Italthai group, Naphalai Areesorn, editorial consultant Koktail and Thailand's Favourite Restaurants and Adulaya Hoontrakul, director of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre.
The Packing Room Prize, decided by the River City Bangkok exhibition team, also went to a portrait of a woman. Artist Veeravoot Phumdong received a cash prize of B200,000 for his painting My Wife. The painting of a girl cooking in a kitchen was praised for its exceptional technical skill while also raising the question of whether the woman is content to stay in the kitchen and fulfil her role as a good wife.
This year, the winning paintings shine a light on women as feminine figures are portrayed from various perspectives, whether as a girlfriend, wife or friend. While these works highlight diverse representations of women, it would be wonderful to see female artists among the winners in the future.
But there’s still a chance for that to happen, as the People's Choice Prize has yet to be announced. This additional prize goes to the painting that receives the most votes from exhibition visitors, meaning you can be one of the judges too.
Simply visit the exhibition showcasing all 72 finalist artworks at River City Bangkok, running now until Nov 3 and vote for your favourite. The winner will be announced on November 4 and will receive a prize of B100,000.