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Published on September 16, 2007

The name means "one who preserves artistic skill", and the recipients of this year's Silpathorn Awards from the Culture Ministry's Office of Contemporary Art and Culture have lived up to it.

The awards - designed to promote artists between ages 30 and 50 - are now in their fourth year.

There were three winners in the field of visual arts: Vasan Sitthiket, Rirkrit Tiravanija and Pinaree Sanpitak. Siriworn Kaewkan was honoured for his writing, Narong Prang-charoen in composing, Nimit Pipithkul in performance and Thunska Pansittivorakul in filmmaking.

The awards were bestowed at the Queen's Gallery in Bangkok recently by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, amid an exhibition on the seven artists and their work that continues until September 30.

Each award-winner received Bt100,000 and a pin made of yellow and white gold encrusted with diamonds and emeralds.

The Princess then viewed the exhibition, taking keen interest, particularly in Pinaree's installation "Noon Nom", a room filled with hundreds of puffy, oversized organza cushions in the shape of breasts.

The title means "rest on a breast", and that's what Pinaree wants visitors to do: get a little nurturing as well as a nap.

Pinaree is the first female artist to win the award, which has previously honoured Chalermchai Kositpipat, Pornchai Jaima and Chatchai Puipia.

Controversial artist Vasan has presented a montage of 60 powerful people that hangs behind a TV set on which a video of the profusely sweating artist is shown. He opines on nationalism and social issues, with the background shifting from red to white to blue.

In a satire on people who think bigger is better, Rirkrit has displayed a jeweller's case containing a diamond cut into the shape - and size - of a grain of rice. Also showing is a documentary of his project "The Land", in which a rice field in Chiang Mai became an laboratory for artists to explore how everyday activities can be integrated into art and vice versa.

Nimit now runs his own art house, Sema Thai, which promotes ethics and morals through puppet theatre. He was a prominent figure of Crescent Moon Theatre and received critical acclaim for his portrayal of former premier Plaek Phibunsongkhram in the remarkable play "Kue Phoo Apiwat 2475".

Thunska is showing his controversial films that tread a thin line between art and obscenity. He's the founder of ThaiIndie.com, and his 2003 documentary "Happy Berry" won the grand prize at the 2004 Taiwan International Documentary Festival.

Siriworn is a new-wave writer whose compilation "Rueng Lao Khong Khon Banthuek Rueng Lao Thee Nak Lao Rueng Khon Nueng Lao Hai Fang" won an award for best short-story collection at the 2004 National Book Fair.

He was among the finalists for the SeaWrite Award for four consecutive years, and recently launched a compilation of poems, "Long Ruea Maa Muea Waan".

Narong teaches piano and music composition at the Community Music and Dance Academy Conservatory of Music in the US. His piece "Phenomenon" won the grand prize at the Pacific Symphony's American Composer Competition in 2005.

The artists will host a public discussion about their work next Saturday at 1pm.

The Queen's Gallery, on Rajadamnoen Klang Road off Phan Fah Bridge, is open daily except Wednesday from 10am to 7pm. Call (02) 281 53601 or visit QueenGallery.org.