Press Release
KONNECT ASEAN celebrates the skill and impact of print art with international artist residency and public exhibit in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai, Thailand, 17 July 2023
From early July, a group of noted printmaking artists from across Southeast Asia and Korea are taking part in a residency in Chiang Mai, Thailand as part of an innovative art project called the “KONNECT ASEAN Chiang Mai Print Residency.” This international exchange of printmaking ideas and techniques will culminate in a public exhibition of the artists’ works at the Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center, which opens 27 July and will continue until 20 August.
The Print Residency is the latest collaborative endeavour spearheaded by the ASEAN Foundation, aimed at building awareness and appreciation of the craft of printmaking, as well as fostering a deeper understanding of ASEAN and Korean cultures across the region. For this Residency, the Foundation has assembled a group of 14 accomplished artists from Korea and Southeast Asia who will live in Chiang Mai for the month of July, working with their Thai peers at seven well-known Chiang Mai printmaking studios. The works developed by the artists during their stay will be displayed at the Cultural Center, as well as at public collections in their respective countries across the region.
Chiang Mai is an apt choice to host this artistic endeavour. The city is a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art and is unique in the region for its active artist communities and long-standing commitment to traditional techniques that survive from the Lanna Kingdom. The seven participating printmaking studios certainly demonstrate that commitment, along with a spirit of innovation that heralds a “new wave” of printmaking excellence and popularity.
Still, organizers of this event note, one of the historical difficulties in elevating print artwork is how it can sometimes be perceived as inferior due to its association with reproduction. As images and their meanings are multiplying into infinity today, printmaking’s place amid the flood of new contemporary art is not distinct. In addition, as the direction of printmaking education focuses on producing artists rather than producing print masters, there is a lack of collaboration between print masters and artists who have advanced techniques of printmaking.
With this skill- and knowledge-sharing Print Residency, then, organizers hope to provide art and cultural opportunities for ASEAN and Korean print artist communities through access to print studios, exhibition spaces, public programs, and other promotional activities while the artists reside in Chiang Mai.
The seven local printmaking studios have volunteered to act as advisors before the artists arrive and during their stay in Chiang Mai, assisting the artists to conceptualize their artworks and respond to the local environment. They will also facilitate the production of the artworks created, such as sourcing materials and artwork logistics in the host city of Chiang Mai.
About the Participating Printmaking Studios and Invited Artists
Seven noteworthy Chiang Mai printmaking studios will act as hosts, providing an open studio environment for the visiting artists. They are:
C.A.P studio
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/kitikongCAP
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/c.a.p_studio_chiangmai/
Website : https://www.chiangmaiartonpaper.com/
JOJO KOBE ART GALLERY
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/jojokobeartgallery
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/jojokobeartgallery/
Website : https://www.jojokobe.com/
Prawin Print Studio
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Prawin%20Print%20Studio/229223840775866 Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/pawin_13/
Halo.Printmaking
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/HALO.PRINTMAKING
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/halo.litho.haus/
Detales Studio
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Detales-Studio-1705356296398337
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/1705356296398337/detales- studio/?igshid=ODZkYjQwYjJlMA%3D%3D
Cha mai home studio
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/chamaistudioandcafe Hashtag #chamaihomestudio
MEZZ PRESS
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ChiangmaiPrintmakingStudio
The participating artists from ASEAN and South Korea are:
- Thammasin Darunkan – Thailand
- Ko Hyun Ji – Republic of Korea
- Sivilay Saypasert – Lao PDR
- Sou Kimsan – Cambodia
- Samuel Xun – Singapore
- Yi Mon Thant – Myanmar
- Panca Satria – Indonesia
- Lee Sangmi – Republic of Korea
- Tan Kok Chuan – Brunei Darussalam
- Kim So Hee – Republic of Korea
- Sane Jung – Republic of Korea
- Vu Xuan Tinh – Viet Nam
- Tan Kar Mern – Malaysia
- Maria Therese Hautea – The Philippines
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About the exhibition:
- Chiang Mai Print Residency exhibition opens on 27 July, kicking off with a press-only event from 16:00-17:00. Thereafter it is open to the public through 20 August
- Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center is located at Prapokklao Rd., T.Sriphum (close to Wat Phra Singh Temple) in the old city. Operating hours are Tuesdays to Sundays including public holidays, from 08.30-17.00
- Information about KONNECT ASEAN can be found here: https://www.konnect-asean.org/
- Please note there will also be pop-up events at individual printmaking studios in conjunction with this residency. For the latest updates, follow:
For more information contact:
TQPR Thailand
Tom Van Blarcom, tom@tqpr.com
Nuie Titichayapon, nuie@tqpr.com, +662 260 5820