Artist : Sornchai Phongsa
Technique : Mixed Media
Year : 2021
Size: 110 x 170 cm

“Family’s Spirit” was inspired by a ceremony called “Rum Phee Gnoo” at the Bang Na Nai temple. In the reference photo (used for studying), the ceremony’s leader is with the “Ton Phee”, who is traditionally the eldest son in the family. They are both performing the ceremony with the worship vessel made out of banana leaves. The cloth that is hanging off of his hand is called “Yart Ha Luah”. This is a picture that all eldest sons of the family are very familiar with. It is a ceremony to welcome the (family) spirit (into your orbit), a ceremony that happens only once in a lifetime. 

From personal study and observations of own’s family as well as the Mon community in Thailand, within the realm of ceremonies, generational belief in symbolism behind “Phee”, or spirit, use the male as important symbol carriers to keep the Mon ethnicity and heritage alive.

This mixed media work was created as an interpretation of the previously mentioned reference photo. Red threads were used as interpretations of the family spirit being welcomed. It is the first piece of artwork that is material based rather than of a drawing or painting. To create a tangible reality out of a belief, symbols from the ceremony interact and converse to depart from abstraction and into realism. The goal was to achieve a 3 dimentional “trompe-l’œil” and having the tradition emote through the red threads. Working with a natural material like cotton threads was a beautiful challenge in itself. Trying, to manipulate it whether intentionally or by accident, were all its own charm working itself out. They would be wrapped around each section within the artwork, slowly revealing a form and picture. 

This was quite a tedious task but challenging at the same time. It became an inspiration for the next artworks to be made in 3 dimensions to capture the reality in form and emotion. – Sornchai Phongsa