Julien Spiewak

‘Rang Ruam Samai’ is a photo exhibition that continues the concept of ‘Corps de Style’, which refers to the type of furniture copied and stylised from the 19th and 20th centuries. Spiewak’s interpretation of ‘Corps de Style’ refers to story-filled private collections, homes and museums. These photographic essays draw inspiration from these spaces that are both inhabited and unseen, places that have seen history yet have hardly seen modernity. In Spiewak’s work, the pieces evoke the human body: the curve of an armrest, the bust of a face, an open doorway, or the pattern of a wallpaper, which Spiewak sees as a subtle calling toward the human body.

Spiewak looks to explore the dialogue between antique and historic-styled furniture, architecture and sculptures, in relation to the modern human body. He invites the audience to dive into his research on this relationship and to disrupt these once more inhabited spaces.

The human body and its parts, however, are a perceived implication. Figuring out the desire of the photograph and the cultural impact of the body and its place in the space is a new experience for Spiewak. Although he worked in Thailand as an English teacher in his twenties, he is aware of the European context where body parts have little interpretation, which sits in opposition to Thai culture. Thai culture is deeply historical and religious, with beliefs in the sacredness of the head and the dirtiness of the feet. The importance is not only in respect of the culture but also of the rapid expansion of the cityscape of Bangkok.

‘Rang Ruam Samai’ is not only the artist’s debut exhibition in Thailand but also a platform for dialogue between Western and Eastern cultures, exploring contrasting perceptions of the human body, furniture and house. The exhibition delves into history, art and the urban landscape of Bangkok through three distinct venues: Siri Sala Private Thai Villa, Wat Suwannaram Ratchaworawihan and So Heng Tai.

‘Rang Ruam Samai’ is the next edition of West Eden’s collaboration series, which aims to bring new ideas, curatorial direction and artists from overseas to Thailand and to push Thai artists overseas. Following a successful collaboration with the Thai-Singaporean gallery 1PROJECTS, West Eden presents ‘Rang Ruam Samai’ in partnership with Espace_L of Geneva, led by gallerist Leticia Maciel.

Inaugurated in 2011, Espace_L aims to be a reference point for contemporary art. The gallery presents internationally recognised artists and offers art appointments in a highly specialised reading atmosphere, in a unique location in Geneva’s Quartier des Bains. Espace_L has published several books on the work of Julien Spiewak.

So Heng Tai

The So Heng Tai Mansion is a 19th century Chinese courtyard house in the historic neighbourhood of Talat Noi in Bangkok. It is one of the last remaining traditional Chinese houses in Bangkok and claims to be the oldest private residence in the city. Today, So Heng Tai also operates as a diving school and a cafe. The exhibition was shown here from 9 to 26 January 2025.

Siri Sala Private Thai Villa

Siri Sala is the first and only private waterfront villa of its kind in Bangkok, an interpretation of modern Thai living with gabled roofs, wood panelling and traditional concave door frames.

Wat Suwannaram Ratchaworawihan

The artist photographed temple interiors and objects at Wat Suwannaram Ratchaworawihan for the series.