Interview: Jirachai Tangkijngamwong
Luca Curci talks with Jirachai Tangkijngamwong during VENICE INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR 2021 and BODIES+CITIES SKIN, the first appointment of BORDERS ART FAIR 2021, at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello.

Jirachai Tangkijngamwong is the R&D Director of DEESAWAT, a furniture brand in Thailand. As the second generation of family business DEESAWAT, he has been working on R&D and product development of DEESAWAT in all the perception and concept, to promote DEESAWAT as a global brand from Thailand. We have been awarded all the design awards ie. German Design Award, European Product Design Award, Good design award (USA), G-mark award (Japan), K-Design award (Korea), Design for wellbeing (Hong Kong), Demark award (Thailand).

Luca Curci – What is art for you?
Jirachai Tangkijngamwong – For me, art is the challenge in creative thinking. Because for art, there is no right or wrong answer. For me, art today needs to be in the combination of esthetic + function + customer experience. People need not only to appreciate art, but they should also have an opportunity to create an experience with that art piece as well.

LC – What’s your background? What is the experience that has influenced your work the most?
JT – My background is as a furniture designer.. but I am trying not to put the brand into myself either as a designer or artist or anything. I do consider myself a challenger. Today there is a several innovation and material that the design can explore. And today there is a lot of change in the market demand and customer behavior. So I would love to explore myself into something that I have never done, or never exist before.

LC – Where do you find your inspiration?
JT – My inspiration is the original setting of my concept. I do always set my target on every single piece on what statement I would like to express. I do have concepts for blind, handicap, Parkinson’s, living with a pet, art… and my next concept will be art therapy.

LC – How is being an artist nowadays?
JT – Everyone can be an artist… it is as a person to be able to express their statement. So for me, it is a great opportunity that I have a chance to join the ITSLIQUID event today. Therefore, in Thailand. I am also opened to collaborate with other designers or artists, to support some creations of their work as I do have production-based support.

LC – Did your style change over the years? In which way?
JT – For me, the style never changes… but the concept changes. Every concept is like a challenge. I do always try to put every emotion into the concept of my work. Therefore, all my works will have a functional use as a base… and the emotion as a statement.

LC – What do you think about the concept of this festival? How did it inspire you?
JT – I do love the concept of this year’s festival as it combines the different perceptions of art, as well as a combination of nationalities. What inspires me the most is the way people are transforming their massage into various perceptions.

LC – In which way the artwork presented in our exhibition is connected with the festival’s theme?
JT – All the artworks are connected anyway.. so I always believe that they can match with each order. But in this event what is good is that the organizer managed the space very well. Compliments to that.

LC – Did you enjoy cooperating with us?
JT – Of course… you guys are very helpful and Mr. Luca is very supportive. I would like to promote your platform to Thai designers or artists so that we could know more about the coming event as well.

LC – What do you think about ITSLIQUID Platform?
JT – This is a good platform. I always believe in networking. So ITSLIQUID is the connection to all the dots and became a center of international artists’ network. And I do also have to thanks the LIVING ART Gallery in Phuket for being a support to me and a center platform in Thailand.