Portrait Prize 2021 Winner – Khun Yai Buaphan

From 178 entries coming from every corner of the Kingdom, painted by an amazingly wide array of artists, the jury selected the truly powerful and forthright work, “Khun Yai Buaphan” by Manop Momin as the RCB Portrait Prize 2021 winner, with the artist receiving THB 500,000.

No.56 Khun Yai Buaphan

Manop Momin

120 x 100 cm.

Oil on linen

I was strolling along Rattanakosin Island and Ratchadamnoen Road and stopped by the Sake alley and Ratchanadda canal. I saw many local and homeless people. Some are beggars, some prostitutes. I met an old woman sitting there and was interested to talk to her; a 74-year-old woman who has become a sex worker because of financial problem during the pandemic. Buapan needs money to buy food for herself and to feed her cats. She is living alone and cannot get a job because of her age. Her story made me sad and emotional so I decided to tell Buapan’s story through my painting. I hope more people will be made aware of the difficult circumstances people are finding themselves in at this time.  I hope people take interest in the stories of the sitters from all walks of life in this competition. I want to call to the attention of the government, the private sector and individuals: some people are encountering this pandemic crisis desperately.

“Khun Yai Buaphan” by Manop Momin is now exhibited at Portrait Prize exhibition until 7 December at RCB Galleria, 2nd floor, River City Bangkok

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