Fua Haripitak

"My art is inspired by passion, faith and sincerity. It is not xommanded by commission. In creating art, I am guided by the quest for geniune aesthetic beauty hidden in nature."

The above were the words of Fua Haripitak, a senior artist highly recognized for his pioneering role in Thailand's modern art. Fua was cited not only for his dedication to Thai art, but also for his tirelessefforts in preserving traditional Thai art and culture which are the heritage of the country.

From "The Life and Works of Fua Haripitak"
SITCA Investment & Securities Co.,Ltd., 1993, p.13

Education :
1932 - Poh-Chang, School of Arts and Crafts, Teacher Training Department, Bangkok
1936 - School of Fine Arts, The Fine Arts Department, Bangkok
1940-46 - Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan, India, Through Mom Ratchwongs Thanomsakdi Kridakorn's Scholarship
1954-56 - L'accademia Di Belle Arti Di Rome (Academy of Fine Art of Rome, Italy) Through the Italian Government's Scholarship

Exhibitions :
1946 Art Exhibition by Artists of Internment Camp, India
1948 Exhibition of Thai Art, The Thai Embassy, London, England
1949 1st National Exhibition of Art, Fine Arts Department, Bangkok
1950 2rd National Exhibition of Art, Fine Arts Department, Bangkok
1952 Exhibition of Reproduction of Old Thai Painting, Fine Arts Department, Bangkok
1954 4th National Exhibiton of Art, Fine Arts Department, Bangkok
1957 8th National Exhibiton of Art, Fine Arts Department, Bangkok
1959 One-Man Exhibition of Paintings and Drawings Jointy with the 10th National Exhibition of Art, Bangkok

Awards / Honors :
1946 1st and 2rd Prize, Art exhibition by Artists of Internment Camp, India
1949 1st Prize, 1st National Exhibition of Art. Bangkok
1950 1st Prize, 2rd National Exhibition of Art, Bangkok
1953 3rd Prize, 4th National Exhibition of Art, Bangkok
1957 1st Prize, 8th National Exhibition of Art, Bangkok
1957 Artist of Distinction (Painting), The National Exhibition of Art
1980 Honorary Doctoral Degree of Fine Arts, The Silpakorn University
1983 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service, Philippines's Magsaysay Foundation, Manila, Philippines
1985 National Artist (Fua Haribhitak is one of the four persons to be firstly elected to Thailand's rank of "National Artists")
1986 Honorary Member of The Royal Institute of Thailand
1990 Outstanding Cultural Heritage Conservator

Restoration Work :
Fua Haripitak was undoubtedly one of Thailand's foremost specialists in the conservation of murals. Since his return from India he had devoted his life studying and restoring old works of art.
The project most important and closest to Fua's heart was the restoration of Wat Rakang Kositaram's Traipitaka Library. Formerly known as Wat Bang Wah Yai, the temple was built when Ayutthaya was still the capital of the country.