Dib Bangkok Opens with 'Giving Life' as Bangkok Kunsthalle Presents 'Spirits Melt to Flesh'
On Tuesday, September 22, Dib Bangkok, a newly established museum housed in a repurposed warehouse designed by Kulapat Yantrasast of WHY, opened its doors to the public. The museum's second major exhibition, titled Giving Life ชีวิต ชีวา, is curated by Ariana Chaivaranon. This institution emerged from the collection of the late Petch Osathanugrah, now managed by his son Purat “Chang” Osathanugrah, and features over 1,000 contemporary Thai artworks. Giving Life showcases more than 160 pieces from 33 artists, including works like Paul Chan’s Breathers and Alexander Calder’s mobiles. Meanwhile, at Bangkok Kunsthalle, Spirits Melt to Flesh, curated by Sam I-shan, presents eight Asian artists until October 4, 2026. Giving Life will be on display until May 3, 2027.
Key facts
- Dib Bangkok opened to the public on Tuesday 22 September in a converted warehouse designed by Kulapat Yantrasast of WHY.
- The museum grew from the collection of the late Petch Osathanugrah, now led by his son Purat “Chang” Osathanugrah, and holds more than 1,000 works.
- Giving Life ชีวิต ชีวา is curated by Ariana Chaivaranon and features more than 160 works by 33 artists.
- Paul Chan’s Breathers are fabric figures kept alive by fans, each named after a philosopher.
- Alexander Calder’s Circus came to Bangkok in 1975, his first show in Thailand.
- Tuan Andrew Nguyen’s Tremor (2025) uses unexploded ordnance from the Quang Tri region of Vietnam to create playable mobiles.
- Nawin Nuthong’s Project 147 (๑๔๗) is the first CHANEL Gateway Commission, inspired by the Thai folk epic Khun Chang Khun Phaen.
- Montien Boonma’s Arokaya Sala (1996) features aluminium lungs coated in Thai healing herbs; the artist died in 2000 at age 47.
- Bangkok Kunsthalle’s Spirits Melt to Flesh, curated by Sam I-shan, includes eight Asian artists and runs until 4 October 2026.
- Giving Life is on view at Dib Bangkok until 3 May 2027.
Entities
Artists
- Petch Osathanugrah
- Purat “Chang” Osathanugrah
- Kulapat Yantrasast
- Ariana Chaivaranon
- Paul Chan
- Alexander Calder
- Tuan Andrew Nguyen
- Nawin Nuthong
- Montien Boonma
- Sam I-shan
- Daniel Hui
- Taiki Sakpisit
- Lieko Shiga
- Matisse
- Al-Ghazali
- Mae Nak
- Somdet To
Institutions
- Dib Bangkok
- WHY
- CHANEL
- Bangkok Kunsthalle
- Galerie Quynh
- Venice Biennale
- Hugo Boss Prize
- Artlyst
Locations
- Bangkok
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Quang Tri
- Saigon
- Phra Khanong
Sources
- Artlyst —