British designer Richard Henley’s month-long residency at Studio 88 Artist Residency celebrates the fusion of Thai craftsmanship and global design perspectives, unveiling lighting prototypes that honor raw materials, processes, and traditions. Explore this collaboration at Studio 88 x Richard Henley during Chiang Mai Design Week 2024.
In January 2024, Studio 88 Artist Residency hosted Richard Henley, British set designer and product designer, experienced in large scale film productions and interior design. During the residency he launched a collaborative project with three Thai craftspeople, namely Charm Learn Ceramic Studio, Ravee Textile Studio and SAK Teakwood Craftsman. Over one month, the artists developed and prototyped four lighting designs, combining local techniques in ceramics, hand-dyed textiles, and teak wood.
During his time in Chiang Mai, Richard discovered a community of artists and designers that were deeply engaged in their craft, connected to the raw materials they were working with and their origins. He found this inspiring and revitalising – by contrast in his native city London he feels the emphasis is on design outcomes rather than process, and an assumption that any material can be found, or any colour can be created. To Richard, Thai designers seem to work with the limitations rather than against them, celebrating their traditional crafts whilst endlessly redefining them.
This exhibit is designed as a love-letter to Richard’s discovery of the Chiang Mai design community. In his display design, he wants to connect the pieces directly to their making process, but in a way that feels theatrical and magical. In showing the works coming quite literally from the ground, he asks us to consider the raw materials involved in designed objects, and likewise hanging fabrics to dry on traditional bamboo structures, he also highlights the human labour.
Beyond the residency, Richard will take home many of these lessons learned through this cross-cultural collaboration, facilitated by Studio 88, and in return he hopes to have offered something of his own experience too. This exhibition captures the outcomes of that exchange, emphasizing the value of combining diverse design approaches to art and craft.
RICHARD HENLEY – DESIGNER
Richard is an artist and designer from London, UK. He has worked as a set designer on large scale film and theatre productions including ‘Wicked’ (2024 movie) and ‘Cabaret’ on Broadway, New York City. He has also worked as a product designer for renowned interior design brands.
His design approach is multi-disciplinary and narrative led, which he uses to bring together different crafts to tell design stories.
RAVEE TEXTILE STUDIO – LAMPSHADE TEXTILES
Chatrawee Thongnak is a textile artist based in Chiang Mai, Thailand. She specialises in naturally dyed fabrics using locally sourced ingredients.
CHARM-LEARN STUDIO – CERAMICS
Charm-Learn Studio was founded by Natthapol “Mick” Wannaporn, with studios in Chiang Mai and Bangkok.
SAK TEAKWOOD CRAFTSMAN
Sak is an expert craftsman across many discIplines, but specialises working with teak wood from the region. He has his workshop in Doi Saket.
SASIWIMON WONGJARIN (AOM) – STUDIO 88 ARTIST RESIDENCY DIRECTOR
Sasiwimon Wongjarin is an international cultural manager, dedicated to promoting cultural diversity and creative expression as tools for sustainability and social impact. As the Founder of Studio 88 Artist Residency in Doi Saket, Chiang Mai, Thailand, she envisions a world where artistic creativity drives intercultural exchange and meaningful social transformation.
Studio 88 serves as a dynamic space for artists and thinkers to reflect, experiment, and engage with contemporary global issues through collaborative and innovative projects.
If you would like to be part of our art community, Studio 88 is accepting applications on an on-going basis. Check out our residency program and apply now.
Studio 88 Artist Residency 
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