Sompot Upa-In (1934-2014) is an important Thai artist of the mid-20th century. A student of Silpa Bhirasri (Corrado Feroci), he studied sculpture in Silpakorn University but practiced in both sculpture and painting as an artist. Upa-In is well-known for showing a concern for form, experimenting in modern techniques. He showed this affect both in painting and sculpture, although with painting he tended to merge this with subject matter of social and political concerns.This work is an excellent sculpture of Sompot Upa-In, using a common genre of mother and child but in a depiction without sentiment and romanticism. He uses a commonplace subject to highlight an exploration of form. Of an upper body of a woman carrying a child, the sculpture’s form is vastly simplified, particularly emphasizing broad rounded shapes. In Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia, many artists in this period, both in sculpture and painting, were making formal investigations, and this work is a fine representation of it.
