Creatures

Duairak Padungvichean

In my artworks, I want to show the way different places and environment can change and alter emotion through my works. Not only emotion but also my connection and memories to each place. I created a lot of creatures that will remind me of different places that I’ve been and experienced.

I choose to mix the animals together because I am really interested in the function of different parts of animals. Many times I wonder what is going to happen if this kind of animal can go into a different environment. Another thing that inspires me to combine these animals together is the fantasy novel. I’ve read a lot of fantasy books and it really influences my work. Every time I read it, it allows me to go to another world. So, by creating these creatures, it will allow me to go to another world as well. That makes me want to design a new world for my own creatures. I want these creatures to be like a journal for me. Every time I look at them, I hope that it will remind me of my experience in different places.

Nature is a really big part of my life, so I want to include it in my artworks as well. Staying in the environment, where there are a lot of trees and animals around, makes me feel comfortable. I feel like it’s the place where I belong. I have been surrounded by nature since I was young. All of the beauty, weirdness, and interesting forms that I found in nature really influence my work.

DUAIRAK PADUNGVICHEAN is a third-year senior visual arts major at Interlochen Arts Academy. She is from Bangkok, Thailand. She has worked to address her interests in animals and nature from different environments. She has received a Merit Award in 2015 and an Honorable Mention in 2016 in the YoungArts competition. She also received a Silver Key for portfolio in the 2016 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.