In the relentless urban sprawl of Bangkok, I’ve noticed a curious phenomenon that inspired my project “Wall of Hope” for Phrae Revival. Despite the city’s rapid growth, with construction sites proliferating and hidden behind large metal fences, nature finds a way to assert itself. These fences often feature images of idealized nature, creating a stark contradiction against the backdrop of environmental degradation. This is a poster I designed for “Wall of Hope,” a project for Phrae Revival that addresses the overarching theme of hope and nature.
Every day, I noticed that my neighbourhood is changing. Houses, mom-and-pop shops, and nature are disappearing, replaced by a gigantic metal fence. This phenomenon is happening all around Bangkok, where corners and streets are sometimes covered with these gigantic metal sheets. Curiously, nature always finds its way, and like a reverse, Christo and Jeanne-Claude manage to stand out even more.
My work explores this dichotomy. Living in Bangkok for over 15 years, I’m struck by how these artificial barriers attempt to “greenwash” our perception of the environment, portraying lush landscapes while real nature is being displaced. Yet, amid this, trees, plants, and animals thrive, breaking through the urban barriers.
“Wall of Hope” captures this essence, illustrating how life-like art—persists in challenging conditions. The project is a call to action, emphasizing the importance of preserving our natural environment, especially during ongoing global challenges like COVID-19.