Chiang Mai has a surprisingly vibrant art scene. A number of good quality galleries that display Thai and Asian paintings in a range of styles, Asian antiques and sculptures in various sizes and subjects are found along Tapae Road and in and around the Night Market. Nimmanhaemin Road is another area that is well known for its craft shops and art galleries. Anantara Chiang Mai Resort & Spa, a popular Chiang Mai resort offers a city centre location from which to explore the city’s galleries.
Among the prominent galleries in the city are the Chiang Mai Arts and Cultural Centre. Located in the old city, it displays historic artefacts and art works in various styles. The Chiang Mai University contributes much to putting the city on the country’s cultural map. Its Art Museum on Nimmanhaemin Road holds regular temporary exhibitions of established and emerging contemporary Thai and international artists and of their graduating students. Students also display their work in the gallery of the university’s Faculty of Fine Arts. Lost Heaven is a gallery in the night market specializing in tribal art, religious artifacts, antiquities and handmade textiles of the Yao people. Several other galleries, some owned by artists, offer original ceramics, contemporary, modern, pop and impressionists paintings by Thai, Asian and European artists, glass sculptures, textiles, photographs and prints. Suvannabhumi has a permanent display of Burmese art and has regular exhibitions. The gallery of Thai artist Wattana has a wide and interesting collection in many different styles. The Writers Club & Wine Bar hosts regular exhibitions of local and Burmese artists. Some galleries double up as coffee shops and others offer a bar with live music. Since many of the works come in various sizes and prices, art lovers can afford to take home one of these excellent works as a souvenir. The newest entrant to the art scene is a 3D gallery of illusionary art works with the motto ‘Be Fun, Be Active, Be Creative’ on Chang Klang Road. Visitors are encouraged to pose in front of the works for outrageous illusions.
Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
