A group of 12 Thai artists have joined hands to uplift the lives and stories of unsung heroes through portraits showcased for "Unseen Heroes", at RCB Galleria 4, 2nd floor of River City Bangkok, Charoen Krung 24, until July 30.
The exhibition turns the spotlight behind the wings of the stage of public acclaim and the individuals chosen for the portraiture have no superhuman power, but a remarkable quality.
All of them share a selfless heart that is prompted to sacrifice blood, sweat and tears at any opportunity to contribute to the common good or serve as the gust of wind that allows their loved ones to soar to greater heights.
The works on show include a hyper-realistic portrait of Hedy Lamarr, the Austrian-American movie star who struggled to bring her brilliant inventions out of the shadow cast by her legendary beauty, by Chayanin Nakapan; and a surrealist portrait of Alan Turing, the English computer scientist who cracked a Nazi code that helped end World War II and yet was persecuted to an early grave for being homosexual, by Pattaraphon Khumpong.
There is also a portrait of Harvey Ball, an American advertising artist who transformed his hardships into a monument of happiness with the iconic smiley face graphic, by Sirawit Suharitdumrong, reputed for his unorthodox colour combinations.
Other figures presented in the show include a racing driver who became the engine behind the success of a thriving automotive empire; a father with an unparalleled devotion to his son's dream of becoming a sculptor; children who navigated a war-torn land with indomitable spirits; a trainer who has helped numerous athletes go for gold; and the invisible cohort who put a smile on our faces as they quietly go about their everyday lives.
The other nine painters are Chalee Phunsukphoudee, Kodsoung Eangubon, Manop Momin, Navapon Huanchaiyaphum, Nidchakarn Kongsawat, Preeyanuch Udomrai, Ronachart Mahakphichian, Tanawat Muratatunyaluk and Teerapong Kamolput.
Visit rivercitybangkok.com or call 02-237-0077/8.
