Wat Rong Khun, or the White Temple becomes the most unique temple in the Kingdom of Thailand and the Thai modern art for the modern world. Designed in 1997 from the devotion of National Artist Chalermchai Kositpipat.
Artist
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/6/2/26629243/1393599491.jpg)
Chalermchai Kositpipat
He was born on February 15, 1955. He grown from small village named, “Ban Rong Khun” in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. He is a Thai visual artist. He graduated from Silpakorn University with a bachelor of fine arts degree in Thai art in 1977.His arts works have been exhibited worldwide, and he is known for his use of Buddhist imagery in his art.
He was born on February 15, 1955. He grown from small village named, “Ban Rong Khun” in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. He is a Thai visual artist. He graduated from Silpakorn University with a bachelor of fine arts degree in Thai art in 1977.His arts works have been exhibited worldwide, and he is known for his use of Buddhist imagery in his art.
Some of Chalermchai's artwork
Location
This temple located in Chiang Rai province of Thailand. Chiang Rai is the northernmost large city. Wat Rong khun is situated on Pa O Don Chai Road, about 13km south of Chiang Rai.
Inspiration
There are 3 factors that inspire him which are nation, religion and majesty.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/6/2/26629243/905043457.jpg?186)
Nation
He was born in small village named, “Ban Rong Khun” in Chiang Rai province. He was determined to become a soldier who served the country. He was not smart, but good at drawing. Therefore, he hope that one day he will have his own remarkable artwork as a treasure in the country.
He was born in small village named, “Ban Rong Khun” in Chiang Rai province. He was determined to become a soldier who served the country. He was not smart, but good at drawing. Therefore, he hope that one day he will have his own remarkable artwork as a treasure in the country.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/6/2/26629243/1393601092.jpg)
Religion
When he was young, he was hot-tempered and misbehaved in several ways. Nevertheless, he stated that Buddhisms has changed his life and that he finally discovered peace and happiness.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/6/2/26629243/269777406.jpg?211)
Majesty
Chalermchai and his team exerted an effort to construct a mural in the United Kingdom to offer his majesty king. He also was selected to design some artworks for the royal's work and have an audience with royalty. This made him appreciate royal grace and desire to work for the king throughout his life
Chalermchai and his team exerted an effort to construct a mural in the United Kingdom to offer his majesty king. He also was selected to design some artworks for the royal's work and have an audience with royalty. This made him appreciate royal grace and desire to work for the king throughout his life
Symbolize and Features
“I desire to build the temple like the heaven, a place where people can feel like they travel in paradise.”
White Temple contains every detail of religious symbolism. Chalermchai chose to build the temple in white, symbolizing the purity of L
Around the structure, there were a lot of quotes and sculptures indicate the ways to be free from desire, greed and passion. For examples, sculptures of demons, skulls, severed heads handing from trees and other bizarre objects. When you walk over the bridge to enter the sanctity, you will see ghostly hands reaching up from the cycle of death and rebirth. Also, the temple building symbolizes the realm of the Buddha and rising to a state of nirvana. Inside, the painting of heroes fighting against demons and a plane smashing into the Twin Towers can be seen. This mentions to the devastation in the world.
ord Buddha. The mosaics of mirrors implanted in the style reflect light, which represent the Buddha’s wisdom shining out across the Earth and the Universe. Around the structure, there were a lot of quotes and sculptures indicate the ways to be free from desire, greed and passion. For examples, sculptures of demons, skulls, severed heads handing from trees and other bizarre objects. When you walk over the bridge to enter the sanctity, you will see ghostly hands reaching up from the cycle of death and rebirth. Also, the temple building symbolizes the realm of the Buddha and rising to a state of nirvana. Inside, the painting of heroes fighting against demons and a plane smashing into the Twin Towers can be seen. This mentions to the devastation in the world.
"Only death can stop my dream, but cannot stop my project," Chalermchai was quoted as saying about the temple, adding that he believes the work will give him "immortal life".
References
http://www.watrongkhun.org
http://www.amusingplanet.com/2013/02/wat-rong-khun-buddhist-temple-inspired.html
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand/wat-rong-khun/sights/other/wat-rong-khun
http://www.thailandforchildren.com/chiang-mai-family-travel/chiang-rai/white-temple-wat-rong-khun-thailand
http://www.amusingplanet.com/2013/02/wat-rong-khun-buddhist-temple-inspired.html
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand/wat-rong-khun/sights/other/wat-rong-khun
http://www.thailandforchildren.com/chiang-mai-family-travel/chiang-rai/white-temple-wat-rong-khun-thailand