One of the best features of big cities is how the flow of millions of people affects the general mindset of its inhabitants, the consequence of different cultures mixing together and creativity sparkling on every corner. And, of course, how this supports the growth of an art scene. The Bangkok Art Scene is a great example of this, being one of the most interesting art capitals in Asia. Dig deep on its art galleries and cultural centres to learn more about Asian art and see for yourself some of the work of the best artists from the region!
One obvious start is in the BACC (Bangkok Art and Cultural Center) on a very central location, near MBK mall and Siam BTS station. Various floors with temporary exhibitions, art supply shops (including sprays for graffities, for all the street artists out there), concerts and more – this is definitely one of our favorite spots in Bangkok for getting to know what’s on, both in terms of Thai and international painters, photographers and conceptual artists. Plus, it’s free entrance!
Minimalist hall at MOCA.
A great museum for learning more about Thai contemporary artists is the MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art), a building of beautiful modern architecture housing a great collection of local artists curated by international standards, including colossal buddhist-inspired painted panels and the surrealism of Prateep Khotchabua, artworks from Chalermchai Kositpipat (the creator of the Chiang Rai’s white temple), a retrospective of the work of famous Thai artist Thawan Duchanee and a great collection of graffities in the museum’s surroundings.
Artwork from Chalermchai Kositpipat.
In terms of galleries you can visit Toot Yung Art Center, which besides the gallery itself has a café, workshops and is also one of the organizers of the Bukruk Street Art Festival. Tentacles is an experimental art space run by artists and with exhibitions of both Thai and international young artists. Also some universities have interesting spaces to visit, for instance the BUG (Bangkok University Gallery), the art center at Silpakorn University (just across the road from the Grand Palace), and Chulalongkorn University Art Center (on the 7th Floor of their Office of Academic Resources) are worth going. La Lanta (meaning “beauty in abundance”) is a gallery that features both international artists and also supports young Thai artists, with H Gallery being as well an interesting place for seeing the work of regional artists (including one of our favorite Cambodian artists, Sopheap Pich). YenakArt Villa is also a good choice, a beautiful modern villa that houses contemporary exhibitions, art and others events, a very classy and relaxed environment even if it’s located in the heart of the city, near Sathorn area.
Abstract art on Ratchadamnoen Center.
Ratchadamnoen Contemporary Art Center is also on our top priorities list, with the advantage of being on a walking distance from Khao San road, in case this is the place you are staying (it’s very close to Democracy monument, which you can easily find on any map or ask someone on the street). Besides different temporary exhibitions it has a great library full of art books, design, fashion and other creative disciplines. Another place with a massive and very inspiring library is TCDC (Thailand Creative and Design Center), a resource and information center of all the creative industries but with a focus on design, with spaces in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, always with a design exhibition going on and other different temporary exhibitions, events and, of course, the library itself, with more than 30.000 volumes of design publications to fuel your creativity in case you are a nomad freelancer working while traveling!
And on an additional note, you can also walk around the city in order to discover some exquisite street art scattered all around Bangkok, always great motifs for photos to document your trip besides the temples and other monuments.
Street art in a random Bangkokian neighborhood.
Hope we help you to navigate the Bangkok art scene and spicy up your trip with some inspiration and thought-provoking art. Make sure to get one Bangkok Art Map in any artistic space to help you out with directions and to check what’s on during your stay. Nothing better than attend an exhibition inauguration to mingle with the local artists and creative people, make cool friends and discover new things! You can also have a look on Camboticket website for options on how to get there… happy inspirations!