So Patima : A participatory Creation , a case of the concept on a Lanna Style Wooden Buddha Statue.

Abstract

This study aims to 1) To encourage the elderly in Ban So community to participate in creating Buddhist art under the theme "Phra Chao So," which is a significant local cultural identity of Ban So community, and to support elderly sculptors in utilizing their free time to preserve and continue the tradition of Buddhist art. And 2) To create wooden Buddha sculptures inspired by the Buddhist art of Phayao, utilizing the principles of visual elements as a guideline for creative work, and to establish a network for exchanging knowledge in art, culture, and local wisdom between Ban So community and the University of Phayao through the design of creative sculptures by Ban So community, which is a collaboration between local sculptors and the research team.

The results showed that the primary local material used in creating a statue of Phra Chao So was jackfruit wood donated by the community. To create a different style from the previous works, the design concept was coherent with yellow color from pumpkins and jackfruit wood. Furthermore, pumpkins are constantly considered as well-known economic products of the Ban So community. Another suggestion from the community for the creative process is to incorporate the unique characteristics of important Buddha images in Phayao province into the creation of the wooden Buddha image.

Through further creation and research, it was found that there is information regarding a wooden Buddha image from the Phayao sculptor group at Wat Lee Museum, Wiang Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phayao Province. This image has a structural shape that falls within the Phra Chao Tan Luang group of Wat Sri Khom Kham, Moo 1, Wiang Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phayao Province. Therefore, this structural shape of the wooden Buddha image was incorporated into the creative process. The result is that Phra Chao So has local shape elements while maintaining the unique Buddhist art style of the Phayao sculptor’s school. This Buddha image is thus named 'So Patima,' a local Buddha image of Ban So community created through the cooperation of the people in the community.