ไทย
Phuket – On April 1, 2024, at the Provincial Hall Meeting Room, Phuket Province, Mr. Sophon Suwannarat, Phuket Governor, presided over the ceremony to present the honorary award to Dr. Taveepong Limmakorn, an internationally acclaimed artist of Phuket, 2024.
Ms. Anchalee Vanich Teppabutra, President of the Phuket Artists Association, provided a brief overview of Dr. Taveepong Limmakorn’s biography as follows:
Dr. Taveepong Limmakorn was born on June 28, 1951, in Songkhla Province. He completed his undergraduate studies (with honors) in Fine Arts, specializing in Design, at the University of Kansas, USA, and obtained an honorary Ph.D. in Visual Arts (Design for Communication Arts) from Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi. Dr. Taveepong moved to Phuket Province and began working in the field of art and design since 1987.
Dr. Taveepong is a dedicated artist who has conducted research and created artworks in various art forms, including landscape painting, watercolor painting, and design. Between 1983 and 1989, he became the first Thai person to design and create more than 40 font styles, known as “Finetha Set,” through Thai production methods instead of imported ones. These fonts gained nationwide popularity under the name “Finetha Set,” and although the font style is no longer in use, some of its designs are still widely used in computer fonts to this day.
Dr. Taveepong was one of the first Thai artists to start writing books to convey art knowledge to youth and art enthusiasts. He authored books with illustrated descriptions, making it easier for youth and enthusiasts to understand art, such as technical drawing books, line drawing compendiums, and watercolor compendiums. He also created Pocket art books with more illustrations than text, which contributed to the proliferation of various forms of applied art.
Regarding watercolor paintings, he developed a unique drawing technique called the “Lost and Found Technique,” which balanced the artwork and the image, becoming immensely popular and internationally recognized. His notable achievements include:
- In 2002, he participated in a solo watercolor painting exhibition titled “Thailand Sketchbook” at the Jim Thompson Museum, organized and published by a French publisher in three languages for global distribution.
- He held a watercolor painting exhibition to welcome ASEAN leaders from October 23 to 25, 2009, and presented paintings as official gifts to the 10 ASEAN leaders.
- In 2015, his watercolor book “Phuket More Than 160 Paintings” won the Gold Medal at an international competition in Canada.
- Furthermore, Dr. Taveepong is the first and only Thai artist to innovate “Pop-up Books,” gaining national and international acclaim, winning three awards:
- In 2012, his “Sufficient Father” pop-up book won two awards from the Thai Printing Association and one from the Asian Print Awards.
- In 2014, his “Bangkok Metropolitan” pop-up book won five international awards, including in Asia, Canada, and the USA.
- In 2020, his “Wonderful Festivals of Thailand” pop-up book won four international awards.
Throughout his 72-year life, Dr. Taveepong has created artworks in various art forms, including painting, sculpture, applied art, and pop-up books, spreading art knowledge to a wider audience and contributing significantly to the Thai art scene. His continuous achievements have brought pride and recognition to Thailand’s art community globally.
Dr. Taveepong Limmakorn is deserving of the title “Internationally Acclaimed Artist of Phuket, 2024” On this occasion, Mr. Rewat Areerob, President of Phuket Provincial Administration Organization, Mr. Boonperm Inthanapasart, President of the Thai International Exhibitions and Festivals Association (TIEFA), and representatives from the Phuket Artists Association extended their congratulations to Dr. Taveepong Limmakorn for this well-deserved recognition.
Credit photos: K.Narong Cheunniran
