Contemporary Art and Culture in Thailand

Art and culture share an enduring relationship, with art finding expression in diverse forms. Both are shaped by the cultural paradigm, though disparities can emerge between art and contemporary culture. The surge of globalization has broadened horizons, expanding knowledge and physical boundaries, thereby facilitating the exchange of “elements” that define cultures. Consequently, contemporaneity assumes a global standing, referencing and constructing cultural frameworks that facilitate interaction between central and peripheral domains. In this juncture of referencing and adaptation, a localized manifestation of contemporaneity emerges. This adaptation strives to harmonize with the artistic and cultural ethos of the region. Contemporary arts and culture in Thailand exemplify this phenomenon, wherein Western contemporary approaches are assimilated, ingeniously infused with Thainess, and woven into the fabric of that knowledge framework. This integration is palpable across art, design, architecture, cinema, music, and extensive literary works.

This book examines numerous contemporary art and culture disciplines in Thailand. Each section illustrates the transition from the original, distinctive Thai creative style to the acceptance of contemporary concepts and the development of its own definition of contemporary style. This book provides a fascinating account of the development of contemporary Thai art and culture.