Bangkok Art Biennale 2020 Announces 'Escape Routes' Theme and Initial Artist Roster

The Bangkok Art Biennale 2020 has unveiled its theme 'Escape Routes' for its second edition, scheduled to open in October 2020. Artistic director Apinan Poshyananda explained that the concept addresses contemporary global challenges, with artists exploring pathways toward sustainability, inclusivity, and sufficiency. Sixteen artists from diverse international backgrounds have been confirmed for the exhibition, including Anish Kapoor from the UK, Bill Viola from the USA, and Rirkrit Tiravanija from Thailand. Other participants include Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook, Julia Fullerton-Batten, Leandro Erlich, Melati Suryodarmo, Dinh Q. Lê, Lu Yang, Zhang Kechun, Nipan Oranniwesna, Ana Prvački, Thanet Aowsinsiri, Baatarzorig Batjargal, Yuree Kensaku, and Ho Rui An. The curatorial team comprises Sook-Kyung Lee from Tate Modern, Dow Wasiksiri of the Royal Photographic Society of Thailand, Wutigorn Kongka from King's Mongkut Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, and Ong Puay Khim, formerly of NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore. The announcement was made on 14 November 2019, with the biennale set to examine issues such as environmental degradation, pollution, social malaise, gender, diaspora, and political differences through artistic practice.