Born
in Khonkaem, Thailand, 1955, Prasert Krachodnog was a self-taught sculptor
before he was hired to work in the United Arab Emirates, 1984, at Dubai’s
Sheraton Hotel. Working, at first, primarily with styrofoam, Prasert’s
hobby became his profession as he sculpted exotic figures of all sorts
to meet the needs of hotel managers staging anniversaries, receptions,
and conventions at various Sheraton Hotels worldwide. He thus found himself
going to such places as Tunisia, Japan, Iraq, Australia, Sweden, and South
Africa to prepare one-of-a-kind statues and figurines for gala occasions
at various Sheraton Hotels honouring dignitaries including presidents,
executives, and sundry VIPs. In 1996, he decided to immigrate to Canada
to take up ice sculpting. At first he was invited to participate in Canada’s
many winter carnivals winning gold medals and first prizes nearly everywhere
he went. Prasert is now decorating restaurants with the most amazing figures
sculpted out of chocolate, soap, butter, ice, styrofoam, and still other
elements he magically crafts to the delight of crowds who witness the unbelievable
work of a very gifted artist. In this view, Prasert has just finished a
styrofoam carving for the Dubai Sheraton, UAE, 1993. [Photo, courtesy Prasert
Krachodnog] The magical ice carving of Prasert Krachodnog graces the buffet
table of a Japanese restaurant, 1993.