Almost a week into the residency and Chiang Mai is beginning to feel more familiar. I’ve visited Seascape gallery, Pong Noi gallery, went to a talk about artist-led activity in Japan at 31st Century art space (made of shipping containers) and been to openings at Sangdee gallery and the Chiang Mai University Art Centre – one of the major contemporary art spaces in the city, where an exhibition between Thai and Japanese exchange students and their tutors was being previewed. It’s refreshing to see a significant institution like this investing in students and local artists in this way – though perhaps unsurprising given the close ties it has with the university.
The faculty of fine art itself has impressive facilities – if not the polished veneer we might expect of a university in the west. Not excluding the vast painting, ceramics, wood workshops, sculpture, metal works and textiles spaces, they are certainly not wanting for space with generous studio provision provided to each student.
Apart from the art, I’ve learned to ride a scooter and taken it tentatively for a spin (!), been for an intensely hot run, got caught in a downpour, indulged in a lot of Thai food and copious amounts of iced coffee – cafés and coffee shops are super trendy. I’ve visited the recycling centres and markets for inspiration and supplies and started making art works. I’m gravitating towards doing something related to the monsoon and the copious stacks of multi-coloured products in the markets.
On Monday we are hosting a tea party where I will give a talk about my work and see if I can garner any willing collaborators; alongside some sculptural works, I want to explore the possibility of instigating a Girl Gang-esque dare while I am here – whilst being keen to avoid any cultural insensitivities.
