A Journey Through Color: Call of the Cardamoms

This May, I had the privilege of participating in Call of the Cardamoms, a group exhibition at Bangkok’s historic House on Sathorn. This exhibition was an awesome opportunity to merge my work with an urgent cause—preserving the unique ecosystem of Cambodia’s Cardamom forest. Alongside fellow painters, illustrators, fashion designers and sculptors, we transformed the exhibition into a call for conservation, underscoring the significance of an endangered rainforest that is home to an incredible array of life.

For this exhibition, I created a series of large-scale works on canvas that marry my architectonic brushwork with the colors and patterns of animals native to the Cardamom Forest. My work for this show is an abstract homage to the forest’s birds and, notably, to the tigers soon to be reintroduced to this habitat. This series marks an exciting departure for me, as I rarely work with color on this scale. Embracing the vibrant hues of the Cardamoms’ wildlife allowed me to explore new depths in my style. This was a wonderful opportunity to fearlessly explore the challenges and emotions of color.” 

Ruby Cheeked Sunbird. Acrylic on Canvas. 140cm x 200cm, 55in x  79in. Wood floater frame (ash) 2024

The heart of my series is six large canvases inspired by the forest’s birds. Each one celebrates a different species, from the dark tones of the Red-Headed Trogon to the bright, cheerful palette of the Ruby-Cheeked Sunbird. I wanted each bird to be larger than life, so I studied the colors and patterns of each carefully, making these beautiful little birds feel grand, almost monumental. Each piece is framed in a richly saturated background, creating a visual chorus where each bird "sings" its colors and energy into the space. 

One of my paintings on display at the House on Sathon in Bangkok. Banded Broadbill. Acrylic on Canvas. 140cm x 200cm, 55in x 79in. Wood floater frame (ash) 2024.

It was deeply fulfilling to know that a portion of the exhibition proceeds directly supports the Shinta Mani Foundation and Wildlife Alliance, two organizations dedicated to preserving the Cardamom rainforest. This support contributes to vital conservation efforts protecting not only the wildlife but also the natural heritage of both Thailand and Cambodia, reminding me of the power of art to influence change and rally people to action.