Testimonial: Irene García

In February and March 2024, Spanish designer Irene García was an artist-in-residence at Studio 88. Here is what she told us about her experience:

During her stay at Studio 88, Irene explored the multifaceted aspects of pollution affecting our environment and communities. She was especially interested in the issue of plastic – its impact on the environment as well as aesthetic values.

Irene’s artwork at the Reviving Nature exhibition

“I shared my residency at Studio88 with 8 other artists, of different nationalities, of different ages and each one working in her own artistic media. It has been beautiful to have all this energy focused on a theme that connected us all, nature, the environment. During the weeks of the residency there was time for everything. I don’t know how many things we did in a week. From art studies in a mountain temple in Chiangmai, drinking tea on a glass floor, seeing how conscious architecture can revitalize underprivileged spaces or listening to the melody of the trees. All the people behind these activities, and many more, have an interesting story to tell and share with us, their experience and learning.

The following weeks we started to prepare our works, it was time to express everything that had been taking shape in our heads. The workshop space during these weeks was the best, sharing space with Sak and his people, where he is full of inventions and tools. It was as if I had always worked there. Taking back the calm and having a more introspective time to enjoy the local routine, drinking coffee, shopping in the small stores of Dos Saket, having noodles for lunch. The sunsets over the rice fields never disappoint.

But undoubtedly it is necessary to highlight from my experience in Studio88. The camaraderie that has existed between artists, and how naturally connections and more points of interest between us were appearing. By the end of the last week different collaborative projects had emerged.