Corrado Feroci - the Italian legacy in Bangkok
Corrado Feroci (1892 - 1962) was a graduate of the Academy of
Fine Arts in Florence, the art capital of Italy. He came to
Bangkok in 1923 when King Rama VI requested the Italian
government for a sculptor to train Thai artists and craftsmen
and raise the standards of Thai art to international levels.
The arrival of Corrado Feroci was to start a train of events
that would have a profound impact on the development of Thai
art. He started as a sculptor with the Fine Arts Department and
taught sculpture to art graduates.
Later, he was asked by the Thai government to prepare a
curriculum and the textbooks for the formal training of artists.
With a formal teaching system in place, the Silpakorn School of
Fine Arts was set up in 1937 with Corrado Feroci as the first
director.
In 1943, as part of the government's policy to emphasize the
importance of art, the school was raised to the status of a
university. The Silpakorn University of Fine Arts was
established with Corrado Feroci as the first Dean.
In recognition of his services, Corrado Feroci was granted Thai
citizenship in 1946 and changed his name to Silpa Bhirasri.
During his career in Thailand, he was responsible for 18 famous
monuments in Thailand of which 9 are in Bangkok.
His better-known monuments are:
King Rama I Monument (1932) at the Memorial Bridge to honor the
founder of Bangkok and the Chakri dynasty that has reigned over
Thailand till this day.
Democracy Monument (1939) in Ratchadamoen Avenue to
commemorate the coup in 24 June 1932 that ended the absolute
monarchy and brought in constitutional government.
Victory Monument (1941) in Phahonyothin Road to honor Thai
servicemen and civilians who died in the Franco-Thai war from
November 1940 - January 1941, over disputed Indo- Chinese
territories that are now part of Cambodia.
King Rama VI monument (1942) in Lumphini Park, a monument that
is fittingly in memory of the king who was responsible for
inviting Feroci to Thailand.
King Taksin Monument (1954) in Thonburi in honor of the king who
united the kingdom after the fall of Ayutthaya, drove the
Burmese out and established the capital in Thonburi.
Corrado Feroci died in Thailand in 1962 leaving behind an
institution dedicated to the preservation of Thai art. The
Silpakorn University of Fine Arts has produced generations of
Thai artists schooled in the best traditions. His famous
monuments in Bangkok and Thailand bear further testimony to his
legacy.
The Silpa Bharasri Memorial Museum in Silpakorn
University was set up to honour Corrado Feroci and his
contribution to Thai art.