Spotlight on Ronarong Thanomtap’s Monoprints
“Hear Goh” returned to River City recently, reopening his antique and art gallery on the second floor after many years. My husband has obtained so many unique “collectibles” other than paintings from him over the years, but he also started our collection of fabric art by introducing the work of Ronarong Thanomtap over 20 years ago.
Hear Goh said because Ronarong’s monoprints are so creative and well executed—and popular, his personal collection has continued to grow. He showed us his existing stock and we recently acquired two more works, bringing our total of Ronarong monoprints to 17.
My husband described monoprinting to me in 2000 when he brought the first piece by Ronarong home but I didn’t “get it”. I understood that the artists used his hands—palms and fingers—to swirl the paint on the cloth. I thought it was just a grown-up version of the finger painting we learned in kindergarten! I was wrong!
More about the artist
He was born in 1940 in Bangkok, the son of a famous Thai comedian. He was well off and chose to became a policeman as a profession giving release to his artistic talent in his spare time.
Junkyard Sculptor
His first inspiration was to make sculptures from junk in the scrapyards starting around 1985 but he gave that up around 1990 because the soldering process caused some damage to his eyes. We have a Rhino, Owl, Raging Bull, Crowing Cock, Indian Warrior, and an Eagle in the Collectibles Corner collection.
Master of mono printing
When he turned to painting, he chose the most painterly method among the printmaking techniques: monoprinting. It is a non-editionable kind of print (meaning only one print can be made). Monoprints have a unique translucency that creates a quality of light very different from a painting on paper or a print. This media also requires spontaneity in its combination of printmaking, painting and drawing mediums.
The unique technique he developed in mastering monoprinting was to use his hands and fingers and palm to move the color instead of a paintbrush. He painted on glass with subtle colors and then transferred to raw cotton cloth, drawing on the back side of the raw cotton with his fingernails, and later he adds brighter colors and gold leaf. Here is a very short clip to show you how it is done and why it requires spontaneous action and creativity! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-MYWBEhA48
International fame
Ronarong has exhibited internationally for years. Collectors include such diverse figures as U.S. President Lyndon B Johson, Robert Helpmann (Australian ballet dancer), comedian Bob Hope and American actor Vincent Price. He has been shown in London, New York, and Stockholm, the latter courtesy of Nils Aks Gunsten of the Swedish Match Company who took a special liking to the paintings. Canadian art dealer Mr. Solomon Olin chose 50 of his paintings for exhibit in London and New York.
Our first collection
The first four items we obtained didn’t reveal the range of his subject matter! 17 Wise One 2 (an owl), 73 Wondering, 102 & 103 Samurai and Geisha.
Later we got these
Later we acquired such a range of subjects, each rendered in a quirky style! 11 Cockfighter, 19 Erotic, 25 Deep in Thought, 33 At Rest 110 In Fashion 118 Oh My, 119 Sensual, 120 Beastly 368 Pas de Deux 670 Big Eyed Cat 845 Big Fish Little Fish 846 Owl on a Stump.
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