Latest Events in San Kamphaeng(June Updated)

MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum is pleased to present “The Unspoken Dialogue,” a solo retrospective exhibition tracing the artistic evolution of Wanlop Hansunthai (b. 1978, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand). With a profound sensitivity to the intricate bond between humanity and nature, the Thai contemporary artist’s work delves into the essence of human nature itself, inviting contemplation on our place within the ever-changing world around us. Born and raised in the agricultural countryside of Nakhon Ratchasima, Hansunthai was immersed in rural life from an early age. First working as a volunteer for an environmental foundation and later as a land surveyor, he traversed vast terrains, where the quiet yet powerful dialogue between human existence and the natural world unfolded before his eyes, while the underlying undercurrents of social movements ran alongside. These deep connections between people, the physical places they inhabit, and the cultural practices they follow have profoundly informed the trajectory of his artistic inquiry. “The Unspoken Dialogue” explores the evolving contexts of human activity and its repercussions on the environment, through a diverse array of mediums, including installation, sculpture, mixed-media painting, photography, and moving image. Some of the pieces are drawn from the museum's permanent collection, others are curated from Hansunthai’s past exhibitions, most notably “Against the Wall” (2021) at Numthong Art Space; “THE PRESENCE OF SILENCE” (2022) at Gallery Seescape; and “HAUS” (2023) and “Survival Sphere” (2024) at Head High Second Floor, Chiang Mai, Thailand. Guided by a minimalist sensibility grounded in naturalism, Hansunthai’s voice emerges softly yet profoundly, distilling personal contemplations into powerful narratives. His works engage with themes ranging from the rippling emergence of cultural structures, to the fluid dynamics between humans and their environment, and the turbulent convergence of individual perspectives and collective realities through history. Materializing locally sourced natural materials as mediums for his exploration, his practice is firmly anchored in the landscapes that fuel his vision. Amidst an era that rushes ever forward — like the relentless torrent of water — “The Unspoken Dialogue” beckons the audience to pause, retreat within, reflect upon, and listen to the silent conversations. In this stillness, we seek the delicate equilibrium between living beings and nature, all while exploring our place within a context ever-changing, shaped by the shifting currents of time and external forces.

Bo Sang Village, also known as "Bo Sang Handicraft Village", is a famous umbrella-making village in the local area. The umbrella-making industry has a history of more than 200 years, and it is famous for producing handmade paper umbrellas. It is located 9 kilometers east of the center of Chiang Mai, Thailand. It takes about 20 minutes to drive from Chiang Mai to Bor sang. On both sides of the road in Bo Sang Umbrella Village, there are handicraft shops decorated with lanterns and colorful flags. The entire handicraft process of the shop will be fully displayed in front of tourists. The paper here is made of "Sa" mulberry bark as raw material and bamboo as bone, and is handmade. Hand-painted paper umbrellas are famous Thai handicrafts. There will be various colorful patterns on the umbrellas, which have extremely high artistic value. In addition, packaging and mailing parasol services, as well as wholesale and international transportation services are also available here. Chiang Mai holds a grand Oil Paper Umbrella Festival every year (the third weekend of January every year), when you can see beautiful women in national costumes holding paper umbrellas, showing the beautiful paper umbrella culture to tourists.