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The
Return of
Surachat
Patanapanich and the
behind-the-scenes work
of many great artists
that he frequently
offered to help even
while he was still a
student are highly
praised.
After graduating, his
career began with
painting Ubosod wall
together with Ajarn
Nittaya Sakcharoen.
Working side-by-side
with famous masters
such as Professor Punya
Petch-Chu gave him a
work ethic and a habit
of collaborating with
knowledgeable people
that outweighed almost
everything else in the
early stage of his
artist’s life.
Surachat is beloved by
his teachers and
mentors. He trained for
a long time under
Professor Chackrabhand
Posayakrit, who once
said that Surachat was
the last student to
carry on his work a
statement made only a
year before the
interview. When I
wanted to ask about his
work and his
foundation, I seized
the opportunity because
Professor Chackrabhand
had fallen ill, was
confined to a
wheelchair, and spent
most of his time at
home. Surachat, who
regularly entered and
left the
professor’s
house, was able to help
me secure some
excellent projects.
Accident and Recovery
Years ago Surachat was involved in a serious accident. It
took a long time for him to recover. When stress-related
illness resurfaced, it manifested more severely than the
original motor-bike crash. I have been following his
efforts to heal—maintaining a healthy diet, striving to
regain his former physique, and gradually returning to a
normal work rhythm. After several years he returned to
work under Professor Chackrabhand continuing to
receive commissions from home. Recently he even took a
self-portrait that showed him on the road to full
recovery.
Getting to Know Surachat Patanapanich
A Brief Overview
JY.
Do you expect your learning to affect your future?
What changes do you hope to see in your life?
SP.
My learning definitely has expectations for the
future. I want a stable income, to be able to take care of
my family, and to be happy.
JY.
Can you mention the most important experience in
your life or the insight that prompted you to begin?
SP.
I graduated in Thai painting from Poh-Chang
Academy of Art. After graduation I applied to become a
church-painting assistant under Teacher Nitaya
Sakjaroen, working with her for many years. Later I got
the chance to design costumes for the movie Ongbak 2. It
was a fun but exhausting experience, and it remains one
of the most valuable for me.
JY.
What attracted you originally? Do you think that
attraction is essential for a successful life?
SP.
I have loved drawing since I was a child; there is
nothing particularly special about it. My love for
sketching eventually turned into a profession.
JY.
Do you have any upcoming projects or new work
you’re planning?
SP.
Currently I am working on an oil painting of the
Great Buddha (a project for Queen Sirikit). Earlier I also
created wall murals, doors, and windows for Wat Kare
Sam Saen under Teacher Hatai Bunnag the work was
beautiful and fun. I keep busy almost all the
time—perhaps because I respect the craft and the senior
artists, and I always try to be humble and attentive.
JY.
What are your thoughts on your future growth or the
life you hope to lead?
SP.
At present my parents are renovating our family
home to make it more comfortable. The thing I have
always wanted to do is to teach drawing at my house for
anyone who is interested, sharing the knowledge I have
accumulated throughout my life. You can contact me
directly via Facebook (สุรชาติ ปธานะพานิช) and this year will
be a great opportunity to turn those plans into reality.
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