Chatchai Suwannachot

For Chatchai Suwannachot, metal symbolizes power and endurance. Strong and abiding, yet pliable and shapeable, metal sculptures can portray both grace and grandeur.

Chatchai was born in 1977 in Songkhla, Thailand, where his parents nurtured his creativity and encouraged him to pursue an education in art. Chatchai was accepted to the University Faculty of Fine Arts at Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, and continued his studies at both Pho Chang Academy of Arts, and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from Rajamangala University of Technology Rattanakosin. Metal was always his preferred medium – pure and authentic, each creation a one of a kind.

Influenced by nature, Chatchai began sculpting trees out of metal; however upon examining the movement and beauty of wildlife, Chatchai shifted his attention to the animal kingdom. He was captivated by the dichotomy of freedom amid the fight for survival, and his metal art began capturing the various strengths and temperaments of each animal. Over the last 20 years, Chatchai has been refining his metal sculpting and welding techniques, drawn to steampunk genres and industrial innovation, polished with timeless, antique finishes. The dark patinas reveal the life and texture of the metal and allude to his subject’s prowess and acuity.

Chatchai was selected by the Ministry of Arts and Culture of Thailand to participate in the national fundraiser, Artists for Elephants, in 2009 and he was further selected by the Tourism Authority of Thailand to exhibit his work at the Romantic Candle Art Festival in Ratchaburi, Thailand from 2009-2011. Chatchai has also exhibited at the Bangkok International Gift Fair as well as the Bangkok International Houseware Fair in 2006 and 2007. Chatchai has completed commissioned monuments throughout the Kingdom of Thailand, and his work can also be found in private collections in Japan, China, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai, France, Belgium, Vietnam, England, Germany, Hong Kong, and the United States.