SHOWCASE

/ ARTIST / 2026

ARTIST: SRI SU RHA
COUNTRY: Thailand
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The Stories from Thai literature are translated into illustrations that embody the essence of traditional Thai paintings, combined with contemporary image structures.

Hello, I'm SRI SU RHA, an artist from Thailand. My work is created from my passion for traditional Thai art. I have taken stories from Thai literature and local legends and translated them into character drawings, combining stories that lie between reality and imagination, consisting of landscapes, magical creatures, and many sacred gods, conveying the feeling of a magical land, like a Thai fairy tale.

Arahun Bird and the Spirit Medium

This artwork is inspired by the folklore and spiritual traditions of Northeastern Thailand, a region whose culture has long been shaped by the Mekong River. It reimagines the Arahun Bird a mythical being with a human head and the body of a bird alongside a young spirit medium (Nang Thiam), a woman believed to serve as a bridge between the human and spirit worlds in local traditions.

The character’s costume and decorative motifs draw inspiration from the artistic heritage of the Greater Mekong region, while the overall composition transforms these cultural references into an original fantasy narrative. Rather than illustrating folklore literally, the work seeks to reinterpret regional mythology through a contemporary visual language.

Thaen

This artwork is inspired by the belief in Thaen, a celestial deity central to the spiritual traditions of Northeastern Thailand and the Greater Mekong region. Although each community preserves its own interpretation, Thaen is widely regarded as a guardian who maintains the balance between nature, humanity, and the spiritual realm.

Rather than illustrating a specific legend, this piece reimagines these beliefs through a contemporary fantasy world. Drawing from ritual practices, sacred landscapes, and regional visual traditions, it explores the enduring relationship between people and the unseen forces that shape their cultural identity.

The Spirit Medium’s Journey

This artwork is inspired by the tradition of the Nang Thiam, a spirit medium found in the cultural beliefs of Northeastern Thailand. Traditionally regarded as a bridge between the human world and the realm of spirits, she serves as the starting point of this imagined fantasy narrative.

Rather than depicting ritual practices literally, I reimagine the spirit medium as a traveler entrusted with exploring a mythical world inhabited by sacred beings, forgotten deities, and legendary creatures rooted in the folklore of the Greater Mekong region. Riding a mythical wild boar through an enchanted forest, she embarks on a journey where every encounter reveals another chapter of regional mythology.

The costumes, ornaments, and visual motifs draw inspiration from the artistic traditions of the Mekong cultural landscape, reinterpreted through a contemporary visual language that blends folklore, imagination, and world building.

Book Cover Illustration

This artwork was created as a commissioned book cover for an original fantasy novel inspired by the cultural heritage of Northern Thailand (Lanna). The composition combines local beliefs, traditional costumes, mythical creatures, and regional artistic motifs to build a fictional world rooted in Thai cultural identity while presenting it through a contemporary fantasy aesthetic.

The Naga

This artwork continues the journey of the Spirit Medium, a traveler who moves between the human world and the realm of spirits. During her passage through a hidden sacred landscape, she encounters the Naga, the guardian of the waters and the keeper of the boundary between the visible and the unseen worlds.

Sinsamut

Sinsamut is a key character from *Phra Aphai Mani*, one of the most renowned and cherished works of Thai literature by Sunthorn Phu; he was born to Phra Aphai Mani and the Sea Ogress (Nang Phisuea Samut). This artwork reimagines the character through a contemporary fantasy lens, blending elements inspired by traditional Thai art such as his ornaments and the patterns on his garment.

The Songkran Deva

The Songkran Deva is inspired by Thai beliefs associated with the Songkran festival. These traditions have been interpreted differently across regions of Thailand, with each locality preserving its own legends and cultural perspectives. This artwork reimagines those narratives through a contemporary fantasy lens.

Gandharva

A Gandharva carrying a lantern walks through the mystical forest of Himmapan under the veil of night

Sudsakorn Art Toy (1/6 Scale)

This project presents a 1/6 scale art toy inspired by Sudsakorn, a legendary character from Thai literature. The design process explores character development through sculpting, painting, and costume design, transforming the original literary figure into a contemporary collectible artwork. Every detail, from the facial expression, handcrafted textures, color palette, to the traditional-inspired costume, reflects a fusion between Thai cultural heritage and modern character design.

Samut Kuman Art Toy

Samut Kuman is a small-scale art toy inspired by Sudsakorn, created as a new interpretation of the legendary character from Thai literature. The design explores a fresh visual identity through character sculpting, form development, and color expression, while maintaining the spirit of Thai fantasy.

The project features two editions an all black version and an artist painted edition individually painted by the artist, bringing unique colors, textures, and a handcrafted touch to each piece.