Nature Speaks: From Khao Yai to Song Wat

In the rush of modern life, we often forget that today’s comforts come at the cost of vast natural resources. As human desires grow boundlessly, the balance of nature has begun to crumble—bringing with it a cascade of crises: global warming, erratic seasons, and mounting pollution. No life is spared from the consequences.

Though we cannot turn back time, what we can still do is support and sustain what remains—beginning with ourselves. Each individual may seem small, but when many small acts come together, they form a powerful force for change.

As artists with a deep concern for the environment, Teerasak Thanapatnakul—founder of Boerkbanburi in Khao Yai—and Mr. Dee, the potter, co-organized KICA – Khao Yai International Contemporary Arts, a ceramic sculpture workshop held in early July 2025 at the Art Residency of Boerkbanburi. The event brought together 13 artists from 10 different countries.

Beyond serving as a workshop venue, Burgbarnburi also transforms into a space for artistic expression—inviting people to observe, listen, feel, and connect with nature on the deepest level. It offers a chance to witness both growth and decay side by side, fostering awareness of the fragile yet vital relationship we share with the environment.

As part of the Nature Speaks initiative, KICA aims to use art as a bridge—revealing the beauty of nature, while awakening awareness of the environmental crises unfolding around us each day. Through sculpture, the project aspires to ignite hope and inspire small individuals to become a collective force—one that can help reduce the destruction of nature, both directly and indirectly.

For more than three weeks, artists from across the globe immersed themselves in the natural surroundings of Khao Yai. Breathing in the forest air, they allowed the landscape to shape their process—until each creation took its final form.

On July 15, the Opening Day of the exhibition took place, showcasing works by 13 international artists. The event was officially opened by Yaowanee Nirandon and Dr. Wittaya Chorvichien, founders of the 129 Art Museum.

Yaowanee shared her impressions, saying it was her first time visiting Burgbarnburi and that she hadn’t expected to find such a place in Thailand. Quiet, serene, and beautiful, it provides the perfect environment for artistic creation. She expressed her hope that the participating artists would take home fond memories and help spread the word about this remarkable art space. She also extended her heartfelt congratulations on the project’s success.

Teerasak Thanapatnakul shared that the participating artists came from 10 countries: Norway, Japan, Turkey, Singapore, Australia, Thailand, China, the United States, Korea, and Italy. Upon arriving in Bangkok, they each stayed with local host families—many of whom were friends—and spent time visiting exhibitions at Café T at Song Wat, exploring the local community, riding boats along the Chao Phraya River, wandering through Bangkok’s Old Town, and strolling around the bustling Yaowarat area.

The group then traveled together to Khao Yai. There, the artists hiked through the national park before returning to Burgbarnburi to take part in a traditional rice planting activity. Only then did they begin their creative work, guided by the central theme: Nature Speaks. The initial phase of creation took around 3–4 days. After that, they visited the nearby Geopark, explored the Petrified Wood Museum, and learned about dinosaurs and elephants.

The journey continued to Dan Kwian to see traditional ceramic works, followed by a visit to the home of National Artist Tawee Ratchaneekorn, renowned for his sculptures. The artists also toured the studio of Nai Thong, a local ceramicist. Finally, they returned to Burgbarnburi, where each artist completed their piece—bringing the experience full circle.

"We believe in the power of art as a catalyst for change—starting with ourselves, in the smallest choices we make each day. When many small forces unite, they become a powerful movement—one that can help preserve a livable world for generations to come."

The event also featured a live Raku firing demonstration—an ancient Japanese ceramic technique rarely seen today. This method gives the artwork a distinctive metallic texture and vibrant surface. The collaborative, hands-on process between artists captivated the audience and drew plenty of excitement.

One of the most emotionally resonant pieces was Flora Ephemera by Ruth Ju (also known as Shih Li 李如詩), a Chinese-Australian artist. She spent seven days carefully sculpting delicate flowers from clay. On the day of the exhibition, Ruth presented a large-scale installation and invited visitors to become part of the work—by gently watering the intricate blooms, transforming the moment into a quiet act of shared reflection.

Moments after the unglazed clay flowers were watered, they began to collapse—beautiful forms crumbling before the eyes of the audience. That was the artist’s intention: to remind us of the impermanence of all things in this world, including life itself.

Speaking after the dramatic dissolution of her work, Ruth described it as a powerful moment. As someone who has practiced meditation for years—learning to be present with each breath—she likened the act of destruction to an exhale. For her, it was a release.

“When this piece comes to an end, I’ll take the clay back and sculpt it again—channeling my energy, emotions, and breath into creating something new. And once more, when it collapses, that will be the exhale,” Ruth explained. “In truth, this work is a self-portrait. It’s about transformation—like the seasons. After winter comes spring. And for me, it’s about understanding death… which can arrive at any moment.”

Jaruwan Thanapatnakul, co-founder of Burgbarnburi, shared her reflections on Ruth’s work:

“This piece shows us that within stability lies impermanence. It teaches us to find joy in the present moment. Ruth wasn’t focused on the end result or the idea of permanence—her happiness was found in the process itself, in being present with every moment she spent with the sculpture. This work became a form of release for her—grieving the loss of her partner and father, while also caring for her brother who was battling cancer.”

“The idea came from a moment of chance,” Jaruwan continued. “Ruth once created a sculpture but had no kiln to fire it, so she left it in the garden. It happened to rain, and the piece collapsed. That moment, unexpected as it was, became a revelation for her—a release. It marked the beginning of her using sculpture as a form of meditation.”

As for the other works, Teerasak Thanapatnakul took on the role of guide, leading visitors through the exhibition—starting with his own piece titled Thung Kula: No Cry. The installation is divided into two parts: one side depicts a parched, barren version of Thung Kula Ronghai—once known as a “field that cries”—while the other side shows a fertile landscape, teeming with life: rice-field crabs, dragonflies, and falling rain.

The message is clear: if we fail to care for nature today, we may be forced to return to the dry, desolate plains of the past—a future echo of Thung Kula Ronghai reborn in drought.

Other featured works included a symbolic installation by Dag Bratbergsengen from Norway, which reflected the interconnectedness of all things. Brian from Michigan, USA, incorporated subtle elements of Thai culture into his piece, blending cross-cultural expression. Meanwhile, Silvia Ranchicchio from Italy explored the theme of natural balance through her work.

There are many other thought-provoking works in the exhibition, each worthy of reflection and discovery. For those interested, the exhibition continues at Tay Songwat from August 1 to September 30, 2025.

At a time when nature is in steady decline, the KICA exhibition stands as a voice from the natural world—reaching out to people in the city. It speaks to us, inspires us, and passes on love and hope. Its quiet call invites each of us to take part, however small, in making this world livable—for the generations still to come.

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