Introduction

Arin Rungjang (born 1975, Bangkok; lives and works in Bangkok) is known for deftly revisiting historical material, overlapping major and minor narratives across multiple times, places, and languages. His interest lies in lesser-known aspects of Thai history and their intersection with the present in the sites and contexts of his practice. Objects, which can draw together distant events across time and space, are central to his investigations. He has a practice that spans different media and often involves video and site-specific installation. In his exploration of history and everyday life experiences he artfully dissects material and revisits master-narratives through the agency of small events.

Recent exhibitions include ERRATA, MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum, Chiang Mai, Thailand (2021); Ravisara, DAAD Galerie, Berlin, Germany (2020); Arin Rungjang: They Beat Your Father, ShanghART Singapore, Singapore (2019); Spectrosynthesis II - Exposure of Tolerance: LGBTQ in SEA, Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre, Bangkok, Thailand (2019); Bengawan Solo, Portikus, Germany (2018); SUNSHOWER: Contemporary Art from Southeast Asia 1980s to Now, Mori Art Museum and The National Art Center, Japan (2017); Mongkut, Satellite 8 Programme, Maison d’Art Bernard Anthonioz, Paris and CAPC Musée d'art contemporain, Bordeaux, France (2015); APB Foundation Signature Art Prize, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore (2014).

He has also participated in the Bangkok Art Biennale 2022, Bangkok, Thailand (2022); Setouchi Triennale 2022, Setouchi Region, Japan (2022); Toronto Biennial of Art, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, Canada (2021); 12th Shanghai Biennale: Proregress, Shanghai, China (2018); Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, Japan (2018); Documenta 14, Kassel, Germany and Athens, Greece (2017); JIWA: Jakarta Biennale 2017, Jakarta, Indonesia (2017) and represented Thailand at the 55th Venice Biennale, Venice, Italy (2013).