SHOWCASE

/ ARTIST / 2025

BKKIF Artist  
ARTIST: Kanya_Kim
COUNTRY: Thailand
EMAIL: Palmkanyapak@gmail.com
CONTACT: https://www.kanyakimstudio.com
https://www.instagram.com/kanyakim_studio
kanyakimstudio@gmail.com
Kanya Kim Studio is a Thai art and illustration brand led by artist Kanya Kim (Kanyapak Laohasrisakul), known for her storytelling through cultural heritage. Her work blends traditional Thai elements with a modern, imaginative style—reinterpreting local myths, symbols, and spiritual beliefs in ways that feel fresh and meaningful.

Founded in 2023, the studio began as a personal journey to reconnect with roots and share untold stories through art.

Inspired by her grandfather, Kanya draws from history, folklore, and rituals to create artwork that bridges the past and present. Her illustrations often explore themes like identity, memory, and nature, connecting audiences emotionally to Southeast Asian culture.

The Red Envelope (Key Visual Poster)

This design blends the eerie tradition of ghost marriages—where the living are wed to the dead—from Taiwanese folklore with the playful, unexpected tone of a dark comedy.

By reinterpreting a deeply rooted belief through humor and surreal visuals, The Red Envelope offers a whimsical exploration of fate, love, and the afterlife.

The concept was inspired by the Taiwanese film Marry My Dead Body, which tells the story of a man who accidentally picks up a red envelope and becomes bound to marry the ghost of another man he never knew. The film presents this traditional ritual through a contemporary lens that is funny, heartfelt, and thought-provoking—serving as a springboard for The Red Envelope to tell its own uniquely imaginative story.

Produced by Thai studio GDH, the film contrasts the ominous symbolism of the red envelope—usually a sign of good fortune but here tied to the supernatural—with quirky, surreal elements. The result is a delicate balance between absurdity and the spiritual, paying tribute to the charm of cultural reinterpretation.

"Lertwila" KKP New Year Gift 2025

“Lertwila” – Auspicious Cats for a Prosperous New Year. Rooted in the rich heritage of Thai culture, Loetwila draws inspiration from ancient Thai manuscripts on lucky cats—feline symbols believed to bring wealth, protection, and good fortune. For Kiatnakin Phatra’s 2025 New Year gift collection, these traditional feline motifs are reinterpreted through Kaya Kim’s contemporary artistic lens, transforming timeless beliefs into elegant, meaningful designs.
Each piece is not only a gift, but a blessing—honoring the past while wishing prosperity, happiness, and harmony for the year to come.

Veiled in Rhythm — Gesture in Bloom

A tribute to the love and devotion of those who breathe life into the soul of Thai dance and music.

Postcard Collection for Wang Derm Creative District

Step into the historic heart of Bangkok — Wang Derm – Bangkok Yai, an old neighborhood brimming with untold stories tucked into every corner. Once the pulse of Thonburi, this living district continues to echo the rhythms of the past in the present day.

Join CROSSs and designer Kanya Kim on an immersive walking tour where narratives of place unfold through art and conversation.

As part of this creative journey, participants are invited to collect a set of 6 unique postcard stamps — each inspired by a real location and hidden throughout the neighborhood, waiting to be discovered.

This initiative is proudly supported by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) as part of its effort to foster creative district development, celebrating local culture, history, and design.

This walk isn't just about movement through space, but a mindful gathering of stories, impressions, and sparks of inspiration — one stamp at a time.

A Cat’s Chronicle of Siam

This artwork tells the story of the Siamese Cat, an auspicious creature woven into Thai life since Ayutthaya. Inspired by Tamra Maew, it blends traditional Thai painting with artifacts from Ayutthaya nielloware to Rattanakosin homes and modern teak furniture, reflecting Thailand’s cultural evolution. Beyond feline beauty, it’s a tapestry of history seen through a cat’s timeless gaze.

"Veil of the Blooming Realms" Scarf

Inspiration drawn from traditional Thai mural paintings found on temple doors, which often depict sacred narratives through intricate and delicate natural scenes, this scarf collection reimagines that timeless beauty into a contemporary form.

The blossoming floral motifs set against a deep background evoke a "veil of time" — a bridge between past and present. Flowers such as gardenias, peonies, and imagined blossoms commonly seen in Thai art are reinterpreted with soft, vintage-inspired tones. Floating butterflies and stars drift gently throughout the design, like spirits watching quietly from a hidden realm.

The scarf’s border features a refined sequence of floral elements in a Thai-inspired pattern, adding a sense of classical elegance and subtle grace.

"Veil of the Blooming Realms" is more than just an accessory — it is a conversation between tradition and modernity. It invites the wearer to be wrapped in memory, beauty, and reverence for the cultural roots of Thailand, presented in a form that is at once contemporary and timeless.

“Klibbutsaba” Scrunchies

The “Klibbutsaba” scrunchies collection draws inspiration from the exquisite petal motifs found on the glazed tile patterns decorating Wat Pho and Wat Arun — iconic symbols of ancient Thai artistry, crafted with meticulous and delicate details in every line.

Their elegant and refined designs reflect the hidden beauty within Thai art, adding a touch of Thai heritage to every look. Perfect for those who cherish classic style without sacrificing modern sophistication.

"BangkokYai Daily" Bangkok Design Week 2025

Bangkok Design Week 2025
" BangkokYai Daily " is a creative tourism activity designed as a cultural walking tour through the historic neighborhoods of Bangkok Yai. Participants collect commemorative stamps at key heritage sites while engaging with local stories, senses, and everyday life. The activity follows the 3S Principles—Stories, Senses, and Sophistication—offering an immersive and meaningful experience that connects visitors with the community through memory-making and respectful exploration.
This project is part of Bangkok Design Week 2025 and is a collaborative effort between House of Upa-In x Kanya Kim.

"Garland Grace" Keychain

The "Garland Grace" keychain draws inspiration from the exquisite kruang khwaen (hanging ornaments) depicted in the mural paintings of Wat Sommanat Ratchaworawihan. Once used as decorative elements in royal ceremonies during the early Rattanakosin era, these motifs represent grace, sanctity, and celebration.

Reimagined into a contemporary, portable form, the design delicately weaves together Thai artistic heritage and modern functionality. The intricate details echo the spirit of auspiciousness and the elegance of traditional craftsmanship.

Perfect for art lovers, meaningful gift seekers, or anyone who wishes to carry a gentle reminder of Thai cultural beauty wherever they go.

Santa claus is coming to town.

A celebration of the heart of diversity, where people of different faiths and beliefs can share love, hope, and warmth together.

For in Thai society, difference is not a distance — it is a way of living together with understanding and embracing the beauty in one another.