Artist Statement

I am captivated by the concept of the painted object. The transformative power of paint, which can turn the unremarkable into something perceived as valuable through camouflage, fascinates me deeply. Born in the United States, raised in Thailand, and now residing once again in the United States, I experience a complex interplay of closeness and separation from my cultural roots. The lingering sense of shame stemming from straddling two worlds—having lived in my homeland and then adapting to Westernized society—leaves me feeling neither fully authentic nor inauthentic within my Thai heritage. This dichotomy mirrors my life, as paint can convey a sense of cultural richness despite its inherently false construction and technique, allowing me to connect with my origins through abstract means.

My queerness, coupled with the fragility of my body, adds another layer to this cultural dissonance I grapple with. I question myself and how I can be of value. Feeling disconnected from Thailand's more community-oriented traditions has prompted deep reflection on my existence, mortality, and the enduring human spirit. Choosing not to have children, I seek pathways to transcend beyond this lifetime, contemplating alternative expressions of cultural traditions from my motherland that could ensure their survival in an uncertain future.

In a world where the body's sovereignty diminishes, I endeavor to fortify our mortal and spiritual selves through fictive art transcending its time. Against environments that seem intent on stifling rather than nurturing, my works offer new modes of existence surpassing harsh terrains' biopolitics. It is within these creative endeavors that I find my actual value as an artist.