PANYA
bkk UNZINE’s partner in bringing you the BKK Comics Art Festival, the Children of the Forest Foundation, is a school and children’s home in Sangkhlaburi near the Thai-Myanmar border that helps to improve the lives of stateless and migrant children and families. Their initiatives in teaching children comic art make them a perfect ongoing partner for bkk UNZINE in promoting comics and cultivating future creators. We are proud to showcase the incredible work of the foundation’s young artists as well as present a brief interview to illustrate their individual stories, beginning this month with Panya, a student of Children of the Forest art instructor Andrew Zeal.
For more information on the Children of the Forest Foundation, please visit their website here.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Yes, I was born in Sangkhlaburi. I live with my Mom, Dad and 2 younger brothers near the wooden bridge. I’m 15 years old and about to start tenth grade (Matayom 4).
What first got you interested in art?
I saw some older kids drawing and thought it looked fun. I started learning at school and then kept doing it at home. I’ve been drawing as a hobby since I was 8 years old. And my parents support me and my brothers in practicing art.
How would you describe the artwork that you like to make?
I like to make comics as well as drawing and painting portraits and landscapes. I like stories about normal people in realistic situations. Most of my comics and artwork are set in Sangkhlaburi and tell stories about local people.
What sort of stuff do you like to draw the most?
I like to draw people the most, but also like drawing backgrounds. I enjoy doing landscape sketching and painting too.
What kinds of stories do you like to tell through your comics?
Stories about human relationships and connections. I’m interested in psychology and like stories about why people do what they do. I’ve done 3 short comics since last year, all of them set here in Sangkhlaburi. They are stories about old friends growing up, turbulent business relationships, and even connections beyond death.
“I can change the world through my students if I’m a teacher. And I hope to help people understand each other and themselves through my comic stories.”
Do you have any favorite comics or manga now?
Yeah, my favorite is the webtoon Like Mother, Like Daughter by Yidahm. Its a story about a difficult relationship between a mother and daughter; there is a lot of psychological drama.
What artists do you like? Are there any artists that especially inspire you?
As far as artists I know by name and follow its mostly just Yidahm, like I said. I have been reading her series for 3 years now.
What do you find is the most difficult thing about making comics?
The hardest thing is drawing to make people understand what I want to say. I have a lot of ideas and it’s hard narrowing everything down into a picture on some paper.
What sort of goals or dreams do you have for the future?
I want to be a teacher, and teach art. After I finish high school I want to get a teaching degree.
How do you hope to change the world through your work?
I can change the world through my students if I’m a teacher. And I hope to help people understand each other and themselves through my comic stories.
Special thanks to Andrew Zeal for making this interview possible, and be sure to check out the children’s complete comics here.
