Testimonial: Elizabeth Kirschner

In November 2023, Elizabeth Kirschner, an American writer and poet from Boston, Massachusetts, came to Studio 88 Artist Residency to gain new perspectives. During her time at the residency, she has been working on a longer narrative piece inspired by her experiences in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Here is her impression and reflection.

Reflecting on her residency, Elizabeth shared, “I can say with absolute certainty that the residency has expanded my horizon in multiple dimensions. Being here, I have been hosted by Aom (Director of Studio 88), which has been a truly marvellous experience because I have had the chance to see a good deal of Thailand through her eyes.”

During her stay, Elizabeth visited the Chiang Mai Women Correctional Institution, a museum dedicated to female inmates in Chiang Mai. She remarked, “I saw the backs of women, just the heads, not the faces. That kind of anonymity immediately struck me. There were captions underneath their faces, just a sentence or two of their experiences. Whatever that experience is, it compelled me, and I have been writing about it ever since. While I am here, my work has been changing, is being transformed. Hopefully, it will have lasting value when I return home.”

Elizabeth treasured her experience at the residency and hopes it will have a lasting impact on her artistic journey. “I have loved all the experiences I have had here. I loved going to museums, hiking, and visiting temples. The hearts of the Thai people have touched me deeply. There is such gentleness and magnanimity in everyone I have met here.”

She concluded by expressing her gratitude, saying, “Studio 88 has absolutely met my expectations. If it weren’t for Aom’s extraordinary patience and kindness, I would not have had the privilege to see so many things that I never would have found on my own. When I leave here, it will be with extraordinary gratitude. I hope to carry forward what I have gained here and hopefully, it will be worth preserving.”