Discover a unique blend of artistry and environmental mindfulness at The Peninsula Bangkok's newest exhibition, "Sanctuary Within", featuring the work of textile artist Jarupatcha Achavasmit.
As an integral part of the hotel’s celebrated "Art In Resonance" programme, the exhibition intertwines creative expression with sustainable practices.
Jarupatcha's three-month residency at the hotel culminates in a display, where discarded items from the hotel are transformed into stunning art pieces. After studying the hotel's waste, she categorised the discarded items into aluminium, fabric, paper and food waste. Her expertise in weaving and sustainable design breathes new life into these materials, turning trash into treasures.
To bring Jarupatcha's vision to life and create the fullest impact, The Peninsula Bangkok has partnered with UOB Thailand, a staunch supporter of the arts and sustainability. UOB Thailand's partnership underscores a shared commitment to enriching the community and promoting sustainable practices Through UOB’s sponsorship, the "Sanctuary Within" exhibition is set to captivate visitors with its innovative use of recycled materials and its celebration of new beginnings.
The "Sanctuary Within" exhibition consists of three installations, all prominently displayed in the main lobby area: Floating Forest, which appears as a glittering, silvery floating sculpture. Closer inspection reveals its true composition. More than 12,000 recycled bathroom amenity containers from the hotel, along with recycled aluminium and PET bottles. Each container was meticulously cleaned and cut by artisans and volunteer staff from the hotel. The resulting sculptures, shaped like ginkgo leaves, symbolise growth and new beginnings.
Above the entrance hangs a woven fabric installation, "Cotton Field", made from the finest Egyptian cotton, originally used as bed linen at The Peninsula Bangkok. These linens, once marked by minor defects, have been repurposed through a delicate process of dyeing and painting. In collaboration with Thai artist Ake Atthasumpunna, natural colours derived from hotel-grown butterfly pea flowers and various vegetables and fruits from the hotel's kitchen were used to breathe new life into the linens.
The Paper Sky is made from more than 100kg of used office paper by shredding it and sending it to artisans in Chiang Rai province. The paper is transformed into new paper that incorporates 50% bamboo fibre. Collaborating with Ake, this freshly recycled paper was coloured and painted using natural dyes. The paper was then deconstructed and uniquely woven by Jarupatcha into an abstract art piece that merges sustainability with creativity.
The "Sanctuary Within" is on view until Aug 31 at The Peninsula Bangkok.
