Womanifesto
Womanifesto is an independent arts collective that grew out of feminist conversations amongst Thai artists and activists at the Concrete House and the Empower Foundation in Bangkok. Its residency program builds upon the community-focused dialogue first initiated at the first Womanifesto Workshop in 2001 in the Si Sa Ket province. Based in a unique location, where generations of elders and youth typically live close to or with each other, Womanifesto fosters a continuity of life that embraces diverse artistic practices and cultural expression. It serves as a living platform where traditional knowledge, creativity, and, feminism, and contemporary art intersect.
The residency engages with local artisans and emphasizes the use of indigenous materials and traditional practices, particularly highlighting the role of women and the intergenerational transmission of knowledge. At its core, the program values the wealth of wisdom shared among women, men, and children, and families in rural communities.
Workshops are a key component of the Womanifesto initiative, involving students from local schools, vocational colleges, and university art programs—many of whom have limited access to this kind of artistic and cultural dialogue. Through these initiatives, the residency not only supports artistic exploration but also brings attention to the rich cultural heritage of the local communities, including the Lao, Khmer, Suay, and Yeau peoples.
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Resources
“Crafting Communities – A Reflection on the Significance of Womanifesto.” South South Art, 2020. https://south-south.art/asia/crafting-communities-a-reflection-on-the-significance-of-womanifesto/.
Low, Yvonne. “Womanifesto Collective.” Aware, 2023. https://awarewomenartists.com/en/artiste/womanifesto-collective/.
Nair, Varsha. “Womanifesto: A Women Artists’ Initiative in Thailand.” Mutual Art, 2009. https://www.mutualart.com/Article/Womanifesto–A-women-artists-initiative-/82DDE35B53B7482E.
Phataranawik, Phatarawadee. “Womanifesto Explores Feminism, Flows, and Freedom.” Art Asia Pacific, 2024. https://artasiapacific.com/shows/womanifesto-explores-feminism-flows-and-freedom.
“Womanifesto.” Lahore Biennale Foundation, 2023. https://www.lahorebiennale.org/lb03-artists/womanifesto/.
“Womanifesto: Flowing Connections.” Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, 2023. https://www.bacc.or.th/en/events/61703.
More Information
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