Silpa Bhirasri Memorial National Museum, Bangkok

Professor Silpa Bhirasri is an Italian sculptor who was honored as “Father of Thai modern art and contemporary art”. Born in Italy on September 15, 1892, he belonged to a merchant family whose parents did not care much of art. He had, however, special personal interest in art. He completed his graduation from the leading art institute in Florence where he was promoted as an art professor at the age of 23.

In 1923, King Rama VI hired a talented artisan Professor Corrodo Feroci through an agreement between the Royal Thai Government and Italian Government. He came to Thailand along with his wife and daughter and took the position as a sculptor of the Fine Arts Department. Soon he proved his talent and was trusted to work as a designer and sculptor of important monuments in Thailand. He designed many monuments for various cities in rural areas. In 1933, he founded the first art school by the name of Silpakorn School in Thailand which later upgraded as Silpakorn University in 1943 with Professor Corrodo Feroci as the first dean of the Sculpture Faculty. Later his name was changed to a Thai name Professor Silpa Bhirasri.

Professor Silpa Bhirasri was a devotee for art in Thailand. He started the first National Exhibition of Art in 1949 to distribute contemporary art in Thailand and to spread contemporary Thai art overseas by participating in national and international art exhibitions. He created prominent sculptures and monuments of the royal family members. He initiated art exchanges between Thai and international artists. Professor Silpa Bhirasri is rightly known as the pioneer in the creation of modern art and contemporary art in Thailand.

Silpa Bhirasri Memorial National Museum was opened on September 15, 1984 at the 92nd birthday of Professor Silpa Bhirasri. It is a historic building which used to be the studio of Professor Silpa Bhirasri. Inside the museum permanent exhibition is divided into two sections. The first section near the entrance exhibited paintings, sculpture and print of his students. The second section displayed belongings of Professor Silpa Bhirasri including his working table, chair, typewriter, record-player, sculpt tools, etc. set in the same way as they used to be before his death. Silpa’s efforts brought Thai art a step further in the modern world and visiting his museum is a way of paying homage to his great contributions.