Tada Hengsapkul

I’ve known Tada Hengsapkul for more than fifteen years, since he was just beginning his career as an artist. At the time, much of his photography explored youth, politics and his roots in northeastern Thailand. Over the years, his practice expanded to include installation, political themes and more abstract forms.

In February 2025, Tada invited me to photograph him at his studio near IconSiam. Among brushes, canvases and bricks of beeswax sat a kayak. Fishing is one of his favourite hobbies, and he often heads out on the water, so it felt obvious that the boat would become part of the shoot.

Tada is also well known in Bangkok’s creative scene for a very different reason: he performs as DJ Tada. At the time of our shoot, he was a resident at Rabbit Hole, playing a range of electronic music. During the session, he put on a few tracks while I set up my lights.