Orawan Arunrak's Migratory Aesthetic Explored Through Audio Walks and Installations
Orawan Arunrak, an artist originally from Thailand and now based in Berlin, explores themes of movement, migration, and cultural interchange. Her audio experience, Rituals on Walking (2022), is part of the Ghost 2565 festival, which she co-created with Korakrit Arunanondchai, and takes participants on a journey through Bangkok's Hua Lamphong train station, incorporating six stories, including her family's narrative. Arunrak's artistic residencies in Asia and Europe have resulted in works such as Exit-Entrance (2017) at Künstlerhaus Bethanien and Counting (2019) at Bangkok CityCity Gallery. Her early contributions at the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC) focused on fostering engaging art, with projects like Come In (2014) and The Owner (2015) highlighting community ties and Vietnam's growth. Her relocation to Berlin inspired Where Are You Living #1 (2021). Ho Rui An remarked on her art's focus on gradual social interaction and themes of belonging.
Key facts
- Orawan Arunrak is a Thai-born, Berlin-based artist focusing on migration and cross-cultural connections.
- Her audio walk Rituals on Walking (2022) was part of the Ghost 2565 festival cofounded by Korakrit Arunanondchai.
- The work guides listeners through Bangkok's Hua Lamphong train station with six personal stories.
- Arunrak has held residencies in Cambodia, Vietnam, Germany, and other locations, creating installations like Exit-Entrance (2017) and Counting (2019).
- She previously worked at the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC) and studied printmaking at King Mongkut University in Bangkok.
- Projects include Come In (2014) in Phnom Penh and The Owner (2015) in Ho Chi Minh City, using drawing for community engagement.
- Artist Ho Rui An wrote an essay analyzing her work, highlighting themes of migration and home.
- Her practice involves slow social engagement, often resulting in drawings, texts, and videos that explore dislocation and language.
Entities
Artists
- Orawan Arunrak
- Korakrit Arunanondchai
- Ho Rui An
- Chitti Kasemkitvatana
- Roger Nelson
Institutions
- Ghost 2565
- Künstlerhaus Bethanien
- Bangkok CityCity Gallery
- Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC)
- King Mongkut University
- Sa Sa Art Projects
- White Building
- Sàn Art
- Cartel Art Space
- Buddhadasa Indapanno Archives
- Speedy Grandma
- Kanagawa Arts Theatre
- ArtReview
Locations
- Bangkok
- Thailand
- Berlin
- Germany
- Prachinburi province
- Cambodia
- Phnom Penh
- Vietnam
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Chiang Mai
- Vientiane
- Laos
- Yokohama
- Japan
- Maitri Chit Road
- Chinatown