The Neilson Hays Library Art Galleries present:
“Bangkok Boats: A portrait of Khlong Saen Saep”
A Painting exhibit by Jonathan Wright

On view in our Garden Café Gallery from
 May 31st – June 26th 2011

You are invited to join the opening reception on June 2nd, from 6-8 pm.
These paintings form the beginning of a series of paintings of the boats, the canals, and the crew who work on them. On my very first day in Bangkok, a few years ago, I took my first ride on the Khlong Saen Saep canal boats. Having lived in several places where the water is a vital part of life, such as Amsterdam, Venice, CA, and the Solent, England, this boat journey was an inspiration. The sheer bravado of their speed, noise, and power being used in these narrow canals was an unforgettable experience and said very much about the skill, daring and panache of the people who crew them. Regardless of the dynamic nature of these vessels there was also something irreplaceably romantic about them. I heard, quite recently, a rumor that these boats are to be “modernized” and I know what that means.  In the meantime, I hope that my perspectives on this unique part of Bangkok life can be recorded before the character of these extraordinary vessels disappear. Jonathan Wright’s style of work is a result of his education:  after training as a design engineer in Sheffield, UK, he went on to study fine art and anatomy as the Ruskin School of Drawing at Oxford University. This combination of draughtsman ship and classical study of anatomy naturally led him to equestrian portraiture of thoroughbred racing horses.  He is a member of the society of equestrian artists and has exhibited his works worldwide.  Another element of his work has been in marine painting and the study of water. As an extension of this work is the current exhibition of the khlong boats.  Jonathan divides his time between his studio on the Isle of Wight in the south of England and in Bangkok.

If you would like further information about the artist or the opportunity to interview him, please contact Angelique Leijdekker, curator of the Rotunda and Galleries at the Neilson Hays Library by email at Angelique.leijdekker@gmail.com, or telephone the office at 02.233.1731