PKDC ARTIST RESIDENCY
BANGKOK
Artist Residency with Pichet Kunchun Dance Company
Bangkok, Thailand
February 2026
I received the Travel Award from the Arts Council Northern Ireland to complete a residency with Pichet Klunchun Dance Company in Bangkok, Thailand. As I began to explore dance throughout my practice, I came across PKDC’s work online before contacting them about a potential visit. The idea of the residency was to observe both perforamce and rehersal sessions and make drawings. These drawings would then form the basis for compositional ideas for paintings.
During my time in Bangkok, I was able to watch a variety of performances by the company and discuss some of the themes of their work. performances took place in Bangkok Kunstalle, a modern art centre in Bangkok’s Chinatown. The last session was held at the change theatre, PKDC’s official home and rehearsal space, where they were putting the final touches on a revised production. You can see drawings from all three sessions below.
Chapter 2 by Pichet Klunchun
Date 19/02/2026
Location Bangkok Kunstalle
An explorative deep dive into human consciousness and connection - discovering information input through the use of AI. Chapter 2 explores injury, time, and coexistence - asking whether feeling still belongs to the human alone.
Riding The Rhythm by Kornkarn Rungsawang
Date 21/02/2026
Location Bangkok Kunstalle
A work in progress presented emerges from a conversation between Kornkarn and her father, inspired by OOK-MA (Horse Dance). Through learning to ride a horse, rhythm unfolds as relationship, negotiation, and shared movement beyond command.
Tam Kai
Date 26/02/2026
Location Chang Theatre
Tam Kai (Following the Chicken) is a contemporary dance work rooted in a deep inquiry into movement, culture, and sound - where the body becomes a channel for dialogue, questioning tradition and inviting audiences into a shared experience of rhythm and presence.
Visiting more places across the country, I drew inspiration from the landscape, culture, food, and customs. Exploring further afield from Bangkok ended up being just as fulfilling as the research project for me to get a better idea of how these elements of dance, theatre and ceremony are visible throughout Thailand. I enjoyed observing traditional Thai massage, something usually only conducted in private spaces, being a communal experience along the coast and in shared rooms. You can see glimpses of my thoughts through my travel sketchbook below.
Thank you to Pichet, Kornkarn, Kangpong, and all the dancers who made this residency possible, an unforgettable and insightful experience I will cherish for years to come