incmiart: Peace in Mind : Kasem Khao-Laor

My first impression of Kasem Khaolaor was a picture in a very large frame with striking colors. It led me to explore his artwork. His paintings are frequently accompanied by inspired poetry. During his time as a college student, he wrote English and Thai explanations for his artworks which was quite progressive and a good example of the realistic East meets the creative West. With modesty, he said to me that his works are common contemporary arts based on the ideology of Buddhism. His inspiration to create splendid works of art is similar to many traditional artists who believe and have strong faith in Buddhism.

It is over 20 years that some of Kasem's works were exhibited outside of Thailand when foreign art collectors from Asia, America and Europe discovered them along one of his most significant ways of working—the use of a mixed technique or "mixed media". His paintings capture feelings and moods on a large scale with impact, drawing viewers into their inner selves to find moments of silence.

In 2002, Kasem offered a gift in the name of Thailand expressing condolence for the tragedy of 9/11. It was with the understanding that Thai people shared the grief with the American people. Thailand also lost many Thai citizens and the office of the Thai trade center in that horrific terrorist event. The gift is entitled, "Healing tears of enlightenment: a cry for world peace" and is a 60x48-inch acrylic-on-canvas painting.

Faith and virtue of the mind are the artist's way to ask for peace for all people in the world. The large picture of a Buddha image reflects the beauty of time and the consideration of the artist. In recent years, the art of Buddha Image in both painting and sculpting has taken on a special significance and is considered to be inherently beautiful. Kasem Khaolaor discovered that early on.

This is the real secret of the art:

Always be a beginner

Then we can really learn something

In the beginner's mind,

There is no thought "I haven't learned something"

If you keep your original mind

The precept will keep itself.

As for me, I delight in the everyday way,

Among mist – wrapped vines and rocky caves

Here in the wilderness I am completely free,

With my friend and white clouds, idling forever,

There are roads, but they do not reach the world;

Since I am mindless, who can rouse my thought?

On a bed stone I sit, alone in the night

While the round moon climbs up cold mountain

It is more than thirteen years that some of Kasem's works were exhibited outside of Thailand when foreign art collectors from Asia, America and Europe discovered them along one of his most significant ways of working—the use of a mixed technique or "mixed media". His paintings capture feelings and moods on a large scale with impact, drawing viewers into their inner selves to find moments of silence.

เกษม ขาวละออ : ศิลปิน
เชียงใหม่
ประเทศไทย

My work is created with wishes that my personal thoughts and feelings are easily acknowledged by sight and imagination. The combination of artistic aesthetics, which are either complicated or simple, as far as the subject matter is concerned, is my portrayal. For me painting is quite powerful and captures meaning that is quite close to my thoughts of mind and spirit .Consequently, it is what I can do much better than any other thing. It is a self-developed feeling.

Kasem Khaolaor Born: 1971, Phayao, Thailand Education: Fine Arts Rajamangkala Institute Of Technology, Chiang Mai Solo and Group Exhibition: 2001: "Healing Tears of Enlightenment A cry for world peace" One world Gallery, New Jersey, USA 2002: Spirit of Orient 1 ; Sage Gallery, New Jersey, USA 2003: Spirit of Orient 2 ; One World Gallery, Hong Kong 2004: Spirit of Orient 3 ; One World Gallery, New Jersey, USA 2004: Introduction of New Works reception, Moscow, Russia "PTT for Queen Sirikit's patronage" Art Exhibition; Bangkok, Thailand 2006: "Next Stop - Nirvana" Solo Exhibition; Ansana Gallery, Singapore Introduction of New Works reception; Auckland, New Zealand 2007: "Artist Self Portrait" Art Exhibition; Srilom Art Space, Bangkok, Thailand 2008: Introduction of New Works reception, Cape Town, South Africa "KRU: Dhamma and Nature" Solo Exhibition; Galerie Dauphin, Singapore 2009: Art Exhibition "Unity of Time" The Imperial Queen's Park Hotel; Bangkok Thailand "Aesthetic of Body by 500 Artists" Art Exhibition, The Srilom Galleria, Bangkok 2010: The 24th PTT Art Exhibition at Silpakorn University, Sanamjan, Nakornphartom "Sanchai Saiyai Silapakram" Art Exhibition on the occasion of the retirement of Assistant Professor Surasit Saokong at Chiang Mai University Art Center Awards: 1992: "Fourth Asia Pacific Orchid Painting Competition" Award winner; Institute of Agricultural Technology, Chiang Mai, Thailand 1993-95: The 7th Toshiba "Bring Good Things To Life" Art competition, National Gallery, Bangkok, Thailand 1995: "World No Smoking Day" Poster Art Competition, Award winner; Chiang Mai, Thailand 1998: "Love Thai Tour Thailand" Exhibition Award winner – 50th Year of Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd; Tado Gallery, Bangkok, Thailand 2003: Asian International Art Competition; Sovereign Art foundation, Hong Kong Asian Art Competition; Spike Gallery, NYC, USA 2004: Asian International Art Competition; Sovereign Art foundation, Hong Kong Art Exhibition; Amata Art Foundation, Bangkok, Thailand 2009: Chelsea International Fine Art Competition; Agora Gallery, NYC, USA Commissioned Works: 2002: Queen's Project for Textiles; Chiang Mai, Thailand 2002: "Healing Tears Of Enlightenment A cry for World Peace" Charitable Gift; NYC, USA 2003: "Meditation" Charitable Auction; Red Cross, Hong Kong 2007: Shangri-la Hotel and Spa, Chiang Mai, Thailand 2009: New Shangri-la Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand Concept The conditions of social and economic life are a chaotic mess. This leads to mental decline and rampant materialism. Collection: Private collections in Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Russia, USA, Germany Holland, South Africa, Canada, Australia, New Zealand