Painting a brighter future for Thai kids

PHUKET: Guests and visitors of Angsana Laguna Phuket have been summoned to paint their way into posterity on a mural designed by acclaimed Australian artist, Christopher Hogan, as money is raised for local Thai kids with artistic promise.

In celebration of its recent opening, the 350 tile mural will take pride of place in the resort’s newly refurbished lobby.

The mural is seven meters in length and stands two meters tall. Each tile will be individually painted by guests and visitors to create a unique collage in the distinctive purple hues that are synonymous with Angsana’s logo.

The unpainted tiles cost 1,000 baht each. The 350,000 baht eventually raised will be used to fund school and university art scholarships for local Thai youth with artistic talent.

Each tile sold to guests and visitors will be painted by them under the guidance of Christopher Hogan. Participants will also be allowed to sign their finished tile to leave their permanent mark on the resort.

“This scholarship could help offer a career in fields such as painting,sculpture, graphic design, interior design and ultimately could work toward gaining employment within the organization mentoring these selected children,” said Christopher Hogan.

Angsana general manger, Jerry John, said, “The finished mural will not only be a stunning centerpiece of our lobby area, but also a stimulus to help gifted local youngsters take their first step on a worthwhile career path.”

“It’s an honor to have Chris Hogan working with Angsana Laguna on our charity art scholarship project,” said David Campion, group director of corporate social responsibility operations for Banyan Tree.

Mural tiles are now on sale and can be bought at the resort, where Christopher Hogan holds free painting lessons for the children of Angsana guests at the resorts’s unique Kids Club.

Each tile purchase also includes a chance to choose the mural’s name.The winning entry will immortalize the artwork, and the author will get three nights accommodation at Angsana, which opened its doors on December 1 after about a 953 million baht refurbishment.

Christopher Hogan, a world-renowned artist recognized for his unique abstract paintings, has also been Artist-in-Residence at the Laguna Phuket Summer Family Festivals, where he staged art classes for local schoolchildren and helped raise thousands of baht for Laguna Phuket’s community programs.

For more information visit angsana.com or contact 076 324 101.Christopher Hogan’s work can be viewed at christopherhogan.me.

— Neil Quail