Konnect ASEAN Chiang Mai Print Residency

 

I had the opportunity to participate in a Print Residency in Chiang Mai, which was hosted by Korea and the ASEAN Foundation. It was an inspiring experience as one artist from each ASEAN nation and 4 Korean artists were selected for the residency. During the month-long program, I partnered with Pawin Print Studio and learned new techniques for adding volume to my artwork.

We visited the University of Chiang Mai and were fortunate enough to learn a unique printmaking technique which was specific to Chiang Mai called Paper Block Printing. 

We had the chance to visit many cultural spaces and learned about Buddhism and their way of life. 

In the one-month art residency, my fellow ASEAN artists and I formed a special bond. We were all situated in one hotel, so we saw each other every morning and after our studio time for the day. We talked about our work and the learning curves we experienced. Despite the language barrier, we tried to connect with each other using google translate or even drawing on paper. We even tried to learn each other's languages, which made us feel understood and accepted. Our differences didn't matter because art paved the way to create a universal language.

My time in Chiang Mai had a lasting impact on me, both emotionally and mentally. Witnessing the diverse array of cultures and individuals living in harmony, embracing their differences with unity and acceptance was truly remarkable. This experience served as a profound reminder of the transformative power of unity and acceptance in our society.