Thailand has earned recognition with "The Spirits of Maritime Crossing: วิญญาณข้ามมหาสมุทร 2026" being selected as one of the 9 standout Collateral Events at the 61st Venice Biennale.
On 20 May, reporters learned that the Bangkok Art Biennale Foundation partnered with Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, joining forces with government, private sectors, and various networks to bring pride to the Thai and ASEAN contemporary art scene. Their exhibition, "The Spirits of Maritime Crossing: วิญญาณข้ามมหาสมุทร 2026," was chosen as one of the 9 standout Collateral Events not to be missed, according to the global contemporary art media outlet ArtAsiaPacific. This ranking highlights key features of the 61st International Art Exhibition, Venice Biennale. Professor Apinan Poshyananda, artistic director of Bangkok Art Biennale, curates the exhibition, which is open until 2 August 2026 at Palazzo Rocca Contarini Corfù in Venice, Italy.
Professor Apinan said, "The exhibition 'The Spirits of Maritime Crossing: วิญญาณข้ามมหาสมุทร 2026' is presented for the second time, featuring over 30 contemporary artworks by 20leading artistsfrom Southeast Asia, conveying stories about journeys, displacement, identity, and cross-cultural connections through maritime and ocean-crossing symbolism. This year, the exhibition was specially selected as one of the 9 standout Collateral Events not to be missed by ArtAsiaPacific, highlighting important aspects of the 61st Venice Biennale. This marks another achievement for Thai and ASEAN contemporary art on the global stage, reflecting the quality and impact of the exhibition's content that has attracted attention fromcurators, art critics, media,and audiences worldwide.
This selection also reaffirms the role of "The Spirits of Maritime Crossing: วิญญาณข้ามมหาสมุทร 2026" as an exhibition presenting contemporary global issues through the unique perspectives of Southeast Asian artists, addressingidentity, migration, displacement, and cultural connectionsarising from sea voyages. It also demonstrates the potential of Thai and ASEAN contemporary art to step into major international art platforms and engage in equal cultural dialogues with the global community. This success serves as a key driver for advancingThailand and ASEAN's creative economy,adding value in the realms ofart, culture, and creative tourism,while also opening opportunities for collaboration amongartists, art institutions, businesses, and cultural networksworldwide in the future.
Professor Apinanadded his gratitude toMr. Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, chairman and founder of the Bangkok Art Biennale Foundation and CEO of Thai Beverage Public Company Limited; Ms. Prakaipruk Damrongwatanapokin, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Rome office; Ms. Charintip Chumuenwai from One Bangkok; Ms. Chadthip Jutrakul from Siam Piwat Company Limited; Ms. Akonpong Phanchet from 100 Tonson Foundation; Ms. Yaowanee Nirandorn from Art Museum 129; Ms. Jiras Rattanawongjirakul from Gallery VER; and all partner networks from various sectors.. .
The exhibition is organized through a collaboration between Thai Beverage Public Company Limited and the One Bangkok project.. It is scheduled from 9 May to 2 August 2026 at Palazzo Rocca Contarini Corfù, Venice, with cooperation from key government partners including Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, as well as leading private sector partners like Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (BEM), Ch. Karnchang Public Company Limited,Siam Piwat, Siam Paragon, Iconsiam, Generali, and Amarin Group.
Additionally, Southeast Asian artists’ participation is supported by regional partners: Singaporean artist Ong Kian Peng is backed by Fraser and Neave,Limited.Malaysian artist Nadiah Bamadhaj is supported by Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, and Vietnamese artist Le Hien Minh is sponsored by Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corporation (SABECO). Those interested can follow news and schedulesof the Bangkok Art Biennale international contemporary art festival atFacebookand Instagram: Bkkartbiennale.