The year in art

In 2022, Thailand's vibrant art scene expanded and showcased diversity. Art enthusiasts were able to enjoy exhibitions and art-related events that brought a wide range of art form. Many exhibitions were organised outside art galleries which enabled viewers to access events easily. Here are some of the highlights of Thailand's art scene in 2022.

'Lantern Art Festival' at Samyan Mitrtown. (Photo: facebook.com/SAMYANMITRTOWN)

Bangkok Art Biennale (BAB) 2022

BAB 2022 is the largest collection of exhibitions in Thailand and is running until Feb 23, 2023. The exhibitions take place at 12 different venues from historical sites, art galleries to private owned spaces such as Wat Phra Chetuphon (Wat Pho), Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC), Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), Museum Siam, JWD Art Space and CentralWorld. The collective exhibitions display over 200 art pieces by 73 artists from 35 countries.

The line-up includes established and emerging artists locally and internationally such as Marina Abramovic, Antony Gormley, Tom Sachs, Montien Boonma, Pinaree Sanpitak, Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya, Jan Kath, Kawita Vatanajyankur and Uninspired by Current Events.

BAB displays art pieces in various forms and techniques. Wat Pho is the location of two site-specific sculptures made of cast iron -- Contain and Connect -- created by renowned British artist, Antony Gormley.

At BACC, Kawita Vatanajyankur, a media and performance artist, exhibits Voice Of The Oppressed (2022). The exhibition presents artificial intelligence (AI) that have different mindsets. One AI represents control, structure, order and rules, while the other one seeks liberation and breaking the cycle of exploitation.

An unusual exhibition at BACC is interactive experiment The Standard by Phitchapha Wangprasertkul, a performance artist. Phitchapha spent one month working in a one metre square transparent box from Tuesday to Friday for eight hours a day. This experiment aims to raise the question of capitalism and the quality of life of office workers.

The exhibition 'New World x Old Town Part 2: The Reflection From The Light Source' featured nine light and sound installations. (Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya)

Colourful Bangkok

"Colourful Bangkok" is part of the 12 monthly festival project launched by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) which involves both state agencies and the private sector. This campaign consists of creative art events, light installations and music since November and will run until January. It is interesting to see a government organisation promoting art events.

Since BMA aims to draw the mass-audience, the event offers many kinds of art and not only typical artwork like paintings and sculptures which are usually on display in art galleries. In November, the Tourism Authority of Thailand organised "Vijit Chao Phraya Festival" in which visitors cruised along the Chao Phraya River and viewed projections and light and sound shows at cultural heritage riverside sites and shopping venues. Meanwhile, from Dec 16 to 25, "Awakening Bangkok 2022" displayed over 40 digital art and creative lighting installations with the theme "Endless Tomorrow", in the historical area Charoen Krung-Talad Noi.

"Night At The Museum" was a campaign which allowed people to visit several museums after sunset from Dec 16-18. The list of museums includes Museum Siam, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, Banglamphu Museum and Jim Thompson House Museum. It was a nice activity that encouraged people who do not enjoy hot weather to go out and spend the evening together.

'Art Trail #1: Iconluxe Pop-up Space'. (Photo: facebook.com/ICONSIAM)

From Nov 12 to Dec 25, the Creative Economy Agency launched the event "Unfolding Bangkok: Hidden Temple" to attract people interested in art and culture. At temples that are less well-known in the Thonburi area, visitors enjoyed viewing an interactive display of light and sound that featured the history of Buddhism and the history of architectural design.

Bangkok Illustration Fair (BKKIF) 2022

Organised by happening, Decembell and What If, "Bangkok Illustration Fair 2022 (BKKIF)", which is Thailand's largest illustration event, returned for its second year at the BACC in September. BKKIF displayed works created by 150 illustrators and 18 guest artists from Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Germany, Pakistan, Indonesia and the Philippines. Some renowned guest artists included Jakob Hinrichs (Germany), Jisu Choi (South Korea), Koichiro Kashima (Japan), Munins (Thailand), Nakrob Moonmanas (Thailand), P7 (Thailand) and Tai KaiHuaRor (Thailand).

Before the 150 illustrators were selected to showcase their work, they had to compete with 500 others. The competition was intense because BKKIF offers them many opportunities such as the ability to display at a local or an international fair, design illustrations for products and brands, or get interviews with local or international media.

BKKIF's popular vote award in 2021 changed the life of 75-year-old illustrator, Pira Ogawa. Pira suffers from tinnitus and creates illustrations in graphic and geometric style. After he won the popular vote, Pira's story was reported on many media platforms and he held a solo exhibition at River City Bangkok. This year, the popular vote went to a Kyoto-based illustrator, Suzu. At the age of 16, Suzu creates works influenced by manga and anything retro. She is now working with independent business and publications in Asia.

'Night At The Museum' at Museum Siam. (Photo: facebook.com/museumsiamfan)

Bangkok Design Week (BKKDW) 2022

Organised by Creative Economy Agency, BKKDW returned in February with the theme "Co with Creation". The event presents cooperation in five areas -- space (living space and public space), mental health, ecological issues, culture and future. The event was held in Bangkok's creative districts including Charoen Krung-Talad Noi, Sam Yan, Ari–Pradipat, Thonglor-Ekamai and Pranakorn.

The short documentary, Mental Verse Jakkawan Jai by Eyedropper Fill gained a lot of attention from audiences since it interviewed depressed people which many viewers can relate with. The documentary shared the experiences of people of different ages with depression, so viewers could understand them and themselves. Due to its popularity, after BKKDW, this documentary rescreened at Yellow Lane Café in May.

Located at abandoned mall New World, in the Bang Lamphu area, "New World x Old Town Part 2: The Reflection From The Light Source" presented light and sound installations by the Faculty of Architecture, Silpakorn University, which featured the history and the way of life in Bang Lamphu.

Established in 1895, Bamrung Nukunkit, Thailand's first printing house, showcased the exhibition "Future Paradise" which predicted trends for the next 10 years. In the evening, there was a display of projection mapping outside the building depicting the history of this printing house.

The 'Future Paradise' exhibition at Bamrung Nukunkit Printing House. (Photo: Pattarawadee Saengmanee)

Art in Malls

Due to the impact of photography on social media, many businesses, especially department stores use art to attract customers. Since January, the walls of Zone I and Groove Gallery Walk on the 3rd floor of CentralWorld, have decorated with cute and colourful illustrations titled "Love Letter To Bangkok" by renowned duo artist, Sundae Kids. "Love Letter To Bangkok" aims to convey positive messages to people living in Bangkok to help boost their optimism and revive the vibrant atmosphere of the capital. Although the exhibition was to run until April 30, it is still on display at CentralWorld.

Central: The Original Store has dedicated two floors to display art exhibitions. The two latest exhibitions in December were "Give Me My Day" by Ekarat and "9:16" by Be Chanida. "Give Me My day" by Ekarat portrayed paintings of a young girl with innocent eyes to bring viewers back to their childhood. Be Chanida's abstract paintings in "9:16" reflect that what people see on social media is only a small part of real life.

In April, Samyan Mitrtown held "Lantern Art Festival" which showcased illustrations on 10 giant lanterns by 10 young illustrators such as Give.me.museums, Jung Senarak, Fahfahs and wawawawin. Aside from lanterns, there were lighting decorations and an art and craft fair.

This year, Iconsiam opened three zones called "3 Art Trails" for art exhibitions. "Art Trail#1: Iconluxe Pop-up Space" showcases artwork by legendary and renowned Thai and international artists. "Art Trail #2: Iconluxe" is organised by Trendy Gallery which is known for pop art and street art. The final zone, "Art Trail #3 : Icon Art & Culture Space" displays art and culture exhibitions.

'Bangkok Illustration Fair 2022'. (Photo: facebook.com/bkkif)

In addition to malls, many exhibitions of digital art and illuminated creations were on display on the 74th floor of King Power Mahanakhon. In June, one of the exhibitions, "Amaz", featured light installations inspired by different cultures such as Chinese culture in Yaowarat, Indian culture in Phahurat and Western culture in Khaosan. Between September and November, "Wonders Of Nature" presented four attractive photo areas -- cloud, bubble, forest and paradise. The admission fee to the exhibition at King Power Mahanakhon is 250 baht per person.