Thai Artist Highlights Shan Refugees in Venice and Bangkok
Jakkai Siributr, a Thai textile artist based near Chiang Mai, was deeply moved when he visited the Koung Jor refugee camp on the Thai-Myanmar border in 2019. This camp, just three and a half hours from his home, houses over 400 Shan refugees who fled violence in Myanmar’s Shan state in 2002. Despite its proximity, Thailand does not recognize them as asylum seekers, leaving them stateless.
Inspired by the resilience of the Shan community, Siributr initiated a collaborative embroidery project involving 20 girls and women from the camp. Each participant stitched images and words that reflected their personal stories and experiences. This collective effort resulted in an installation titled “There’s No Place,” currently showcased at the Venice Biennale as part of “The Spirits of Maritime Crossing.”
Siributr’s artwork features intricately stitched fabric pieces adorned with colorful and often whimsical imagery. Displayed as if hanging laundry on a clothesline, each piece tells a poignant story of struggle and resilience. One artwork vividly depicts a soldier aiming at a group of people, including children, symbolizing the harsh realities faced by refugees.
Born in Bangkok and trained in textile design in the US, Siributr has dedicated his career to using textiles as a medium to shed light on social issues. His previous works include “The Outlaw’s Flag,” where he created imaginary flags representing places where refugees might dream of finding safety, and “IDP Story Cloth,” documenting the experiences of Myanmar’s ethnic minorities turned migrant workers in Thailand.
Through his art, Siributr aims to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and bring attention to often overlooked humanitarian crises.
Re-reported from the article originally published in THE GUARDIAN.
