Bangkok-based artist Nakrob Moonmanas presents new and recent work in the exhibition "Metamorphosis In Gold" at Warin Lab Contemporary, running until July 10. The show features video, sculpture, garments, objects, and collage that examine how modernity was considered, applied, and subverted in Thailand during the reign of King Rama V. A central video reimagines a scene from the classical Thai dance drama Sang Thong, while surrounding objects and collages explore the legacy of civilizing projects and their irreversible transformations.
This exhibition matters because it offers a nuanced, speculative take on Thailand's encounter with modernity, refusing simple narratives of imposition or loss. By drawing on historical documents, classical performance traditions, and the artist's distinctive visual language, Nakrob invites viewers to consider the complex interplay of identity, agency, and belonging in the wake of cultural transformation. The show is supported by the British Council, Thai Film Archive, and the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, underscoring its institutional and cultural significance.