Art highlights around Bangkok this May

Before you do your rounds of Art Basel and other international art weeks taking place in the next month, Bangkok’s biggest art affairs should keep your schedule well packed. Here are some exciting exhibitions and festivals you can catch in May.

Street food carts turn into art

There’s still time to catch Lucy Sparrow’s playful installation at The Standard Bangkok Mahanakhon, which turns street food carts into art. The British artist is famed for her shows which recreate supermarkets that are fully-stocked with hand-stitched felt consumer products. For her debut in Thailand, Lucy has taken a deep dive into traditional Thai flavors, filling the hotel’s lobby with food carts overflowing with every street food staple imaginable. Completely crafted from felt, snacks on display range from moo ping (grilled BBQ pork), Isan pork sausages, kanom krok (coconut rice pancakes) to tin boxes with sugary biscuits. All of her creations will, of course, be smiling at you in her cute, signature style. Until May 5, 2023

A festival in the Big Mango

For those who like to buy art as much as looking at it, don’t miss the third edition of Mango Art Festival. This year’s theme of “Rise” will highlight emerging independent artists across the Thai and international art landscape. River City Bangkok will be the venue of this year’s festival, which is divided into four zones: Gallery Zone, Independent Artists Zone, Product Design Zone and Art & Craft Zone. Besides shopping and business matching services for art buyers and art sellers, a lineup of music performances and talks will take place throughout the six days. Just in time before the Thai elections, one of the highlights of the festival is a platform for political parties to share their vision and policies on boosting the country’s creative economy. May 2-7, 2023

The red chair in Thailand

Canadian father-and-son photographers Randy and Spencer VanDerStarren bring their “Take Your Seat” photography series to Thailand. The red director’s chair that features in their stunning urban and pastoral landscape shots symbolizes making change and being the director of your own life. The duo have explored the regions of Thailand over four expeditions and have captured inspiring images that showcase the beauty of the Land of Smiles. Their photographs and large, textured murals are exhibited all across The Peninsula Bangkok, be it in the lobby, gardens or Thai-style boats. A special highlight is an interactive studio that also incorporates sound designs by Bangkok’s own artist and music icon, Note Panayanggool. Until May 31, 2023

Thai photojournalists capture utopia

Inspired by Thomas More’s 1516 satire Utopia, the “Landing in Utopia” group photo exhibition at HOP Photo Gallery presents the perspectives and visions of 21 talented Thai photojournalists on the nuances and complexities of Thailand’s pursuit of an ideal society. The photographs will take you on a surreal visual journey, where the absurd and harmonious converge to create an imagined Thai utopia. June 25, 2023

The best of Bangkok Art Biennale

If you haven’t checked out this year’s Bangkok Art Biennale, the exhibition “Between BAB” is likely the next best thing. Held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), this showcase features over 60 selected artworks by 28 artists who were exhibited in the previous three editions of the biennale. Admire artworks by big names such as conceptual artist Marina Abramovic, whose video Sea Punishing was actually performed and shot in Phuket. Thai talent is also on display, such as the cheeky buffalo sculpture Kwai Calm by Maitree Siriboon. June 30, 2023

For more art events, visit Bangkok Art City.

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