Concepts of Art and Society in Exhibitions Organized by the Pridi Banomyong Institute 1995-2017

Abstract

This article studies the concepts of art and society in exhibitions organized by the Pridi Banomyong Institute between 1995 and 2017 based on primary and secondary sources as well as interviews. The results highlight that art exhibitions were annual events that provided the chance for creators in various fields of arts and culture to exhibit their works of art to the public. Art exhibitions and society were influenced by concept and direction of the Artists Front of Thailand and Fine Arts Club of Thailand. The influence derived from the Artists Front of Thailand provided space for social reflection of art, regardless of gender, age, educational institute, educational background, or classification of art. It had improvised a working guideline to artists for working together as a group and developed arts and society into a ‘Versatile Arts Fair’ that attracted a variety of fields of arts to mutually exhibit their creativities. Meanwhile, the influence derived from the Arts Exhibition of Thailand of Fine Arts Club of Thailand focused more on the right of expression than competing for awards. It also provided the chance for artists to exhibit their works in accordance with the place of exhibition. There were lectures and discussions on arts and society available at the exhibitions. Moreover, there were also arts projects for children providing a place of study and distributing essential knowledge of the Pridi Banomyong Institute to children and the youth concerning freedom, democracy, and justice.