by Manit Swriwanichpoom

Rediscovering Forgotten Thai Masters of Photography gathers images taken in Thailand during the 1950s to 1970s by seven photographers Buddhadasa Bhiku, Liang Ewe, S.H. Lim, Saengjun Limlohakul, Pornsak Sakdaenprai, ’Rong Wong-Savun and M.L. Toy Xoomsai. By assembling these bodies of works, the project offers conjectures on film photography and ethnographic lines of inquiry. The 247 remastered prints potentially survey photographic traditions at the onset of Modern Thailand, suggesting views such as celebrity and cosmopolitan life alongside inland societies and the periods antecedent to Thailand’s tourism in the 60s. Rediscovering Forgotten Thai Masters of Photography project is on its second iteration. Its collaboration with NUS Museum proposes ways in which para-institutional research reflect shared urgencies of finding other trajectories in the framing of art history and practice. Manit Sriwanichpoom (b. 1961) is an artist who lives and works in Bangkok. His photography-based works are held in the collections of institutions in Europe and Asia, and he has been known for his exhibitions that satirizes Thai nationalism and consumerism with insight and humor since 1996. The project Rediscovering Forgotten Thai Masters of Photography involves many years of Manit’s personal research. Its recent reiteration showcases the works of seven Thai masters of photography that Manit has sought out, gathered and restored. (Extracted from: NUS Museum)

Filmed by: Flora Toh (NUS Centre for The Arts) Editted by: Harith Redzuan (NUS Museum)

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