I posted about this street art project in my local town of Petchaburi (Thailand) last year. Then wandering the market recently I realised that there are several new artworks on display, so here is an update including a few different views of older works.
Along with a few conservation efforts, the old market community started this street art project to add another attraction to the area. It is basically one long alleyway wide enough for motorbikes but not cars and busy with the shops and homes of families who have been there for generations. Many of the walls and old wooden shutters have artworks that celebrate something of the local heritage. Most of the earlier works seem to have been done by the same artist but a lot of the new ones have a different style adding to the variety.
The main alley through part of the town's market that is at least 99% for the local population rather than tourists.
A variety of things from the present and past. The boats have disappeared from the river but the sugarpalm tree still rules the landscape and the "samlor" (three-wheel) pedal taxis are just about hanging on in the town.
This man must have been very tired to choose such a place to fall asleep! The trumpet player is the much loved King Bhumipol who died a few years ago and was a composer and player of jazz.
Somehow this one feels a bit like leaving your Christmas decorations up too long but I like the prevalence of animals in these artworks with a cat showing interest in the pigeons and a little mouse on the water meter.
Using the old wooden shutters as a canvas to join the themes of music and animals.
My favourite of the new works that just fits so well into the alley. It is about the local speciality of palm sugar which comes from the well-named sugarpalm trees. Here, the leaf is from the tree, the brown lozenge shapes are the raw sugar, on the left is one type of sweet dish made from it and top right is the fantastic "morgan" dessert that comes in these 4-inch trays - I could eat three of them in one go although I'd probably regret doing so! It also continues the animal theme with the cat looking at a gecko. This photo is also a reminder of how the community are so closely connected to the alley.
There is a big troop of macaque monkeys less than a kilometre away and the youngsters are endearing but not quite kissable!
Celebrating another famous local dish of jasmine rice served in iced water with a range of savoury condiments. Note the sugarpalm trees on the man's shirt.
In olden days the market spilled into the river with wares sold directly from boats. Nowadays it's all land-based.
Part of the newer style still focussing on local subjects with monkeys, sugarpalms and a rose-apple fruit.
I'm not entirely convinced by some of the newer artwork which isn't to my taste. In this one there are a couple of additions to the subjects with a traditional Thai dancer and some diamonds (Petchaburi means "diamond town").
A few years ago, before this street art project started, the whole market was flooded. Perhaps that's why there are now fish swimming along the wall.
I posted this artwork before but I think it's always worth another look at Vincent van Cat.
There is a clear ethnic Chinese element around the market area with a Chinese shrine at one end of the alley, and that connection is reflected in some of the art.
The highlight of Petchaburi is the old royal palace on a small hill only about one kilometre from the market. This new painting depicts an idealised 'stairway to heaven' version, which is interesting to me because the actual main path up the hill does not include steps, it is a brick path that allowed royals to be taken up by carriage.
Finally, a reminder that they do like their pets down this alley! This is not a real door but it does have a real handle!
And this last one is not part of the same project but is just across the river and much older. I just wonder if this is what gave people the idea for market street art project.
