Bangkok illustration fair 2026

SHOWCASE

/ ARTIST / 2026

ARTIST:	Nithi Sthapitanonda
COUNTRY:	Thailand
CONTACT:
Line Drawing Exhibition by Nithi Sthapitanonda, National Artist of Thailand in Architecture Nithi Sthapitanonda, born in 1947, was an architect by profession. Now 79 years old, he retired from professional practice in 2012 and thereafter turned to writing books in collaboration with Li-Zenn Publishing Company Limited to produce publications on art and architecture. He has also devoted part of his free time to creating "line drawings," a passion he has continued for over 40 years. In his retirement, Nithi has chosen to draw places that have left an impression on him. Some images are drawn from places he has visited, while others are embellished to achieve a sense of completeness within the composition. Many of the drawings simply capture the natural essence of a place, or arise from the stillness, subtlety, and gentleness found in vast, empty spaces. This approach to line drawing, in Nithi's own style, helps calm the mind. Each time he works on these drawings, it becomes a practice in letting go of greed, anger, and attachment because throughout the process, one must search for that point of "balance” within the beauty of the image. It demands great patience, with no expectation of commercial gain, no pressure from time constraints, and an environment of quiet and calm, free from distraction. “My technique for these line drawings follows an old style from an era when artists favored techniques such as stone lithographs or wood engravings. This type of printmaking was common during the 19th century. Today, such techniques have all but disappeared. The beauty of the lines produced through this printmaking method left a lasting impression on me, inspiring me to recreate them using simple tools such as fine-textured white bond paper and a small-tipped pen (No.005-01), commonly used by architects, with one condition – that the same pen size be used throughout the entire piece. Drawing in this manner requires patience and an unhurried pace; there is no erasing of lines once drawn and corrections can only be made by drawing over the mistake. This style of line drawing requires distinguishing tonal weight using only two colors: black and white, and requires imagining in advance the light and shadow that will emerge toward the final stages of the drawing, so that the image turns out as intended. Through this exhibition of completed works, I hope to inspire others who share an interest in this art form to return to this craft, whenever the opportunity arises.”