Artist Statement

I am captivated by the concept of the painted object and the transformative power of paint to elevate the unremarkable into something of perceived value through camouflage. This fascination reflects my complex journey between cultures. Born in the United States, raised in Thailand, and now residing here again, I feel both a connection to and separation from my Thai heritage. I carry a lingering sense of shame from existing between these worlds, feeling neither fully authentic nor entirely inauthentic within my cultural identity. Paint, with its layered and often illusory nature, mirrors this experience, allowing me to connect with my origins through abstraction and to imbue constructed forms with a sense of richness.

My queerness and the fragility of my body add further dimensions to the cultural dissonance I navigate, prompting me to question my value. Disconnected from Thailand’s more community-centered traditions, I reflect deeply on existence, mortality, and ways to transcend beyond this lifetime. Choosing not to have children, I seek alternative pathways to preserve and express my cultural heritage, imagining how it might endure in uncertain futures.

My research envisions a dystopian world shaped by human-induced environmental collapse, where survival depends on a return to cultural traditions. Through paintings, sculptures, and wearable art, I critique overconsumption, waste colonialism, and cultural assimilation. This intersection of culture, environment, and consumption is influenced by my experience in environmental testing, where I analyzed aqueous and solid samples for contamination. Waste, as an overlooked residue of society’s intake, became central to my practice, merging with craft-adjacent techniques such as dyed wood, woodworking joinery, Thai mural painting, fused single-use plastic films, Joomchi papermaking, wastewater, and Thai food ingredients. These materials accumulate into culturally inclined yet detached forms, evoking physical and spiritual preservation as I reflect on my experience as a second-generation Thai American.

By situating myself within this desolate vision, I find meaning and purpose. As an artist, I am committed to ensuring that our cultural memory, resilience, and spirit endure beyond this time.