Professor Silpa Bhirasri (Corrado Feroci), the father of modern art in Thailand, was responsible for establishing a foundation that provided a base upon which Thai artists could reach the world stage. He played an important role in the establishment of Silpakorn University, the country’s first university of fine arts.
Born Corrado Feroci in Florence, Italy in 1892, Feroci came to work in Thailand as a sculptor in 1923 during the reign of King Rama V. Feroci took up a teaching position at Silpakorn School, which was promoted to university status in 1943. He developed programs for painting and sculpture there in line with programs offered by Florence’s Royal Academy of Art, where he had completed his own art education.
During the decades he resided in the Kingdom, Feroci created a number of prominent sculptures, statues, and monuments. During this time, modern art flourished not only among art students, but the wider public, too.
Although it is 45 years since his passing away, his former students still fondly remember Feroci’s life and work.
 A lasting legacy
Chamruang Vichienket, 76, and Prayad Pongdam, 73, who were Feroci’s students in the 1950s and also went on to become lecturers in fine arts at Silpakorn University, said they would often pass on their experiences of studying under Feroci to their own students when the chance arose.
Now retired, they are passing on their stories to the public through two monthly talks organized by the Silpa Bhirasri Memorial National Museum. Chamruang took part in an event in July, while Prayad gave a talk in August, ahead of a commemoration of what would have been Feroci’s 115th birthday on September 15.
Feroci’s birthday is also marked by Silpakorn University alumni and students, who organize an annual event to commemorate his life.
The talks being held at the museum covered the artist’s work, thoughts, and his personal life. Chamruang and Prayad hope that their stories of Feroci will inspire the public, and aspiring artists in particular.
Dedicated and generous
“I remember Ajarn Silpa as a teacher, brother, friend, and father figure,” Prayad said during his talk. "He was well known for his devotion to his duties. He began the day at about 6 am and left late in the evening," he said.
Feroci frequently spent his weekends at the office. He would use Thai when speaking to his students, Prayad said.
With a recommendation from Feroci, Prayad went on to land a lecturing position at Silpakorn University following his graduation. Prayad furthered his studies by pursuing a higher degree in sculpture in Italy and received a national artist award in painting in 1998.
Prayad said Feroci was also extremely kind hearted. He was quite generous with his students if he was sure the money he was spending would help them develop their artistic vision, he said.
“Sometimes, if there was an interesting movie on, Ajarn Silpa would ask us whether we had seen it or not. As he did so, he’d be preparing some money so that we could go along and see it,” Prayad said. He said Feroci would also make contributions towards materials for class assignments, too.
A love of Thailand and its art
Chamruang, who received a national artist award for sculpture in 1996, said Feroci had been deeply impressed with the art of Sukhothai. His interest in Thai art was reflected in his own work as well as his academic essays. Feroci’s study of Sukhothai art is said to have led to a statue he crafted of a Buddha image in a walking posture, which is located at Buddhamonthon in Nakhon Pathom province. Many of his articles, essays and books focused on Sukhothai art and traditional Thai painting.
Chamruang said Feroci would take his family on regular annual vacations to Ayutthaya.
“Ajarn Silpa loved Thailand so much. He once told me when he returned from a trip to Italy that he could no longer live in a farang [foreign] country anymore,” Chamruang said.
Chamruang interpreted this as meaning that Feroci had begun to consider his birthplace as a foreign place and had decided he felt it preferable to live in Thailand.
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 A lifetime of service
In 1948, Feroci returned to Italy “for good”, or so he thought. Just one year later he had changed his mind and he decided to return to the Kingdom to resume his teaching career until his death in 1962, aged 70.
Feroci received a Royal-sponsored cremation ceremony in 1963. He had served the civil service in Thailand for 39 years.
Prayad said Feroci wanted his students to remember the importance of their own country’s arts.
“Although Ajarn Silpa taught us about modern art, he insisted that every student continued studying traditional Thai art. We were taught to absorb ‘Thainess’,” Prayad said. He guided them to begin with traditional art and then gradually move towards the modern, he said.
“One of his aims was to encourage artists to grow in the modern world with the pride of their own culture so we could create unique works of art that are truly representative,” he said.
It was widely understood that Feroci wanted his students to adhere strictly to his “stepping stones” approach. He was insistent that none of his students during the early years of study should attempt to produce abstract art in formal drawing classes.
Classes focusing on “drawing and painting basics”, including factors such as light, color, mass, inner structures and the textures that have an effect on the subject of a work of art were covered, he said.
“Unlike many young abstract artists today, older generations of abstract artists were also able to produce very realistic examples of drawing and painting,” Prayad said.
A gateway to success
Many of Feroci’s students went on to become prominent modern artists, including:
• Fua Haripitak (1985 National Artist in Painting);
• Sawasdi Tantisuk (1991 National Artist in Painting);
• Chalood Nimsamer (1998 National Artist in
Sculpture);
• Phayoon Uluchata (1992 National Artist in
Painting);
• Khien Yimsiri; and
• Sanan Silakorn.
Among Feroci’s own best-known works are the following:
• The statue of King Rama I at King Rama I Bridge;
• the statue of King Rama VI at the front of Lumpini
Park;
• the statue of King Taksin at Wong Wien Yai; and
• the statue of Tao Suranaree in Nakhon Ratchasima.
More events planned
More talks (in Thai) and exhibitions will be held at the Silpa Bhirasri Memorial National Museum concerning the life and times of Feroci and Thai modern art through until year-end.
The museum is located in Feroci’s actual office space at the Fine Arts Department compound on Naphrathat Road. The area was renovated and turned into the museum in 1984. Divided into two separate sections, the first part covers paintings, sculptures, and prints of Feroci’s famous former students, while the second area includes his original work space and facilities.
The museum opens from Monday to Friday from 9am-4pm. Admission is free.
For further information on forthcoming talks and exhibitions, call Tel: +66 (0)2 281 2224.
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Art & Culture 
Art & Culture
Thailand is home to a rich cultural heritage with distinct spiritual and art lineages. Gain insight into the ways of Thai culture passed down through the centuries in addition to its more modern variations through original Art & Culture articles.
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