THE SPIRITS OF ISAN IN THE FORM OF CONTEMPORARY PAINTINGS

Abstract

Southeast Asia is a region with plenty of arts, cultures, traditions, beliefs and faiths as can be seen on art objects and artworks created in this region. These include Hooptam (an Isan mural). It is an artwork implying wisdoms, teachings, environments, society, ways of lives and rituals reflecting the well-beings of the ancestors in the past. These things were selected and blended into spiritual creations becoming beautiful and valuable heritages that are presented visually and mentally. According to the mentioned reasons, the creator is impressed by the stories and backgrounds of the land of Isan that are presented in the form of murals. Therefore, the visual artwork, "the Spirits of Isan in the Form of Contemporary Paintings, was created. It is a two-dimensional mural created with oil painting techniques on a canvas. According to the creation processes, it was found that the shape of Hooptam overlapping with the portraits of the Isan people in the past created dimensions. It presents new mindsets and feelings. It can accurately respond concepts, feelings of and respects for the spirits of the ancestors including the creator through the visual art form and methods.