'I observed rhythm of life within the culture through which I explored local histories' PHaptawan Suwannakudt, Sydney.

Phaptawan Suwannakudt at Sam Rit Residency December 2016
I arrived in Sam Rit residency with no plan and expectation.  I basically allowed climate, surroundings and people in the community who went on with their daily routine to have governed my pace.  I observed rhythm of life within the culture through which I explored local histories. 
During the four weeks in Sam-Rit my activities involved the followings: -

• Visits to historical sites which included Historical burial site, Phimai temple, Ya Mo in Korat and Toong Sam Rit historical monuments
• I also went to explore a three hundred-year-old mural at Buddhist temple in Wat Taku, Pakthongchai

I also explored places of interest and engaged in the activities at:-

• Jayasaro Bhikku’s meditation guidance at Baan Torsi Pakthongchai,
• Construction site of Luang Por To in Pak Chong
• Enjoyed discussion with the National artist Tawee Rachaneekorn at Tawee Rachaneekorn Art Centre in Korat
• Women’s weaving village group in Pakthongchai
• Newly open Korat house and visit the inaugural exhibition which showed print media work of Ajarn Surichai Siriboon.
• Market places wholesale fruit and vegetable market
• Village life and locals’ hospitality and enjoyed hearing stories from elders at Wat Sam Rit Tawan Tok and Wat Sam Rit Tawan Ork during ordination ceremonies.
• Khun Ta Kong and his children’s traditional kite making from natural and recycled materials
• Khun Orn making Thai cookies with flour and sesame seed
• I visited paddy fields, rice storage, riverside and the neighbourhood
• Record song from Korat music
• Performances from women and youth community organised by Khun Orn in which I translate from Thai-Isan into English
• I offered my music and left the instrument to stay with Sam Rit Residency and for the community people in the village and to future residents to enjoy

 
Workshops include: -

• I conducted workshop to secondary school students at SamRit vitayakom in which I engaged an English class and conducted group session on drawings.  Students took turns to speak about their work.
• I gave a talk at Tarnprasart Vitayakom and visited the art gallery within the school
• Meeting for a discussion with the school Principal and art teacher at Tarnprasart Vitayakom for future collaboration between the school and Sam Rit Residency

 
Phaptawan most recent exhibitions include the followings: -

• http://shop.powerpublications.com.au/collections/all/products/retold-untold-stories-phaptawan-suwannakudt
• Exhibition Traces of Word: Art from Asia at Museum of Anthropology, University of British Columbia May 2017, showing existing work Cast Off, 2010
• A solo and a group exhibition scheduled in Sydney in 2017
• A solo exhibition Bangkok scheduled early 2018
• A collaborative project at a public venue in New South Wales late 2018
• More information http://phaptawansuwannakudt.com/