BANGKOK — The fifth edition of the Bangkok Art Biennale will run next year from October 29, 2026, to February 28, 2027, featuring works by international artists across the city’s temples, museums, and public spaces.
Organized by the Bangkok Art Biennale Foundation in partnership with Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, the exhibition will adopt the theme “Angels and Mara,” exploring tensions between light and darkness, hope and temptation amid global conflicts and crises.
The theme draws on the concept of angels as divine messengers and Mara from Buddhist cosmology, representing desire and death. Bangkok, known as Krung Thep (City of Angels), serves as the backdrop for artists to examine contemporary struggles and human resilience.
Prof. Dr. Apinan Poshyananda will serve as Chief Executive and Artistic Director, leading a curatorial team that includes Adulaya Hoontrakul from Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, Rémy Jarry from Chulalongkorn University, Melanie Pocock from Ikon Gallery, and Kulapat Yantrasast, founder of WHY Architecture.
Participating Artists
The first 15 artists announced include established and emerging talents from America, Asia, and Europe: Mel Chin (US), Mandy El-Sayegh (UK), Gerard & Kelly (France/USA), Piero Golia (Italy), Sonia Hamza (France), Mahtab Hussain & Guy Gunaratne (UK), Htein Lin (Myanmar), Shin Min (Korea), Yasumasa Morimura (Japan), Mary Pakinee (Thailand), Ri (Myanmar), Kornkarn Rungsawang (Thailand), Teerapon Sisung (Thailand), Manit Sriwanichpoom (Thailand), and Sun Yuan & Peng Yu (China).
Works will be displayed at major cultural sites including Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, One Bangkok, Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), Wat Prayoon (Temple of Iron Fences), Museum Siam, and the National Museum and National Gallery.
The biennale aims to create dialogue between contemporary art and Thailand’s historical and sacred spaces.
_________