Although I am an art enthusiast, I lack the expertise to fully appreciate the nuances of various art forms. My understanding of the emotions and techniques employed by artists, even at the student level, is limited. When I visit art galleries, I am overwhelmed by the sheer beauty and artistry of the works, but I lack the knowledge to analyze brushstrokes or interpret their deeper meanings. I admire the imagination and skill required to create such masterpieces, from paintings and sculptures to other forms of art. The ability to translate ideas into tangible works of art, while maintaining aesthetic appeal and technical proficiency, is truly remarkable. Competition-level pieces elevate this challenge to an even higher level, demanding exceptional creativity and execution.

And for the aforementioned reasons, whenever there were art exhibitions, I would just glance through them, skim through the information, and listen casually without paying much attention or taking detailed notes. This continued until one day, my older sibling informed me that we had not yet visited the "White Elephant Art Exhibition" at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre. They insisted that we must go, stating that there was no room for debate. Without further ado, my sibling sent me a news article about the exhibition. Upon seeing the article, I didn't hesitate for a second. We immediately searched for an available date in our schedules. We couldn't wait any longer. As soon as we were free, we went straight to the exhibition, rearranging our priorities. Nothing else seemed more important at that moment.

We arrived at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre with ease. Taking the BTS Skytrain to the National Stadium Station, opposite MBK, we walked through the skywalk directly into the Centre. Ascending the escalator to the 7th floor, we were ready to explore the exhibition. Before entering, we followed the simple rules: storing our belongings in the provided lockers. Exchanging our ID cards for locker keys was a quick and easy process.

Cross the street from MBK.

Encountered a building with this appearance.

Once inside, look for the floor with the picture of King Rama IX.

Come up to this floor and exchange your card to store your bag in the locker at the back.

Then go up to the 7th floor.

With our luggage safely stored in the locker, we were free to explore the exhibition. The highlight of our visit was the 6th White Elephant Art Exhibition on the 7th floor, presented by Thai Beverage Public Company Limited. This exhibition showcased award-winning realistic paintings, sculptures, prints, and mixed media works from the 6th White Elephant Art Competition held in 2017. The exhibition featured 21 award-winning pieces and 40 additional works, totaling 61 artworks under the theme "The Happiness of Thai People under the Auspices of His Majesty's 70th Anniversary of Accession to the Throne." The exhibition had been running since April 6, 2017, and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to see it before it closed.

The exhibition hall is well-organized, making it easy to navigate and visually appealing. The artworks are displayed in designated zones, including those that have received awards and those that were submitted for the competition. Each image, in my opinion, reflects the artists' love and appreciation for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great. The beauty of the artworks evokes a profound sense of emotion. This art exhibition is accessible to everyone, as it allows viewers to readily comprehend the artists' feelings toward His Majesty, which are vividly conveyed through their creations.

If you have had the opportunity to visit the exhibition, you can quickly skip this review. For those who missed it, here are some highlights from the event, which ended on July 16, 2017. I visited the exhibition earlier this month and captured almost all of the exhibits. Let's take a look together.

"December 5, 7:19 PM." Honorable Mention

"Happiness under the Royal Shade"

"Following in the Father's Footsteps"

"Happiness of the Thai people"

"A righteous king"

"Image 1, Number 2"

"Father of the Land"

"Royal grace, spreading throughout Thailand"

"The King in the Hearts of the People"

"Under the shade of His Majesty's virtue, this land is sufficient."

"Doi Saeuen, Number 2"

"The King who creates wind and rain"

"D stands for eternal."

"With profound gratitude for His Majesty's grace."

"To...Father"

"The Joy of Life"

"Dimension of Life of Warmth, Number 1" Honorable Mention

"A symbol of unity for all Thai people" Honorable Mention

"A father's smile, a child's happiness."

"King Rama IX"

"Our love is eternal, enduring like the sky."

"Happy New Year card"

"Warmth from the mountains"

"Land of Happiness" Honorable Mention

"King Rama IX"

A clear focus on the image, the more I see it, the more I miss it.

"The picture that every household has, number 1"

"The Gentle Yet Unwavering King, Number 1"

"Embrace"

"Epitome of Goodness"

"Peace, Tranquility, and Shelter under the Auspices of the Bodhi Tree" - Honorable Mention

"The Happiness of the Thai People under the Auspiciousness of His Majesty's Wisdom"

"The King's Speech for the Happiness of the People"

"Happiness of the Thai People under the Auspicious Shade of His Majesty" - Honorable Mention

"Royal Blue Excellence, Emblem of the Thai Monarchy" - Honorable Mention

Let's take a closer look.

"Light from Father"

"Runner-up"

Notice the pin on the little boy's shirt.

And observe the badges of the soldiers.

"Second Place: 'Happiness that Transforms Suffering, Memories of the Ninth King's Land of Dhamma'"

"The King's Subjects" - Runner-up

Take a closer look.

"Monarch who brings happiness to all subjects throughout the land" - Runner-up award

"Seeds of the Father" - Runner-up

"In the Heart of Eternity" Award

White Elephant Award "Siam Smile"

Special CEO Award "King of the 10-Year-Old Children"

This exceptional painting is the work of a young Thai artist, 10-year-old "Amani" Wachiravit Samarth from Phuket. Amani, who considers himself a student of National Artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, dedicated 50 days after school to complete this masterpiece. He shared that this is his most cherished work, driven by his deep love for the King. The intricate details and vibrant colors of the painting are truly remarkable.

"70th Anniversary of the Reign of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej"

This art exhibition was a truly joyful and enriching experience. It was a delightful journey through art, even for those without prior knowledge. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit before the exhibition closed. Although His Majesty has passed away, I continue to live a peaceful and happy life as a Thai citizen under the 70-year reign of His Majesty.

"Share happiness"