MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum
Situated in the Sankampaeng district just outside Chiang Mai, MAIIAM is a contemporary art museum with a focus on both local and Southeast Asian art.
MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum is a privately-owned art museum located in Chiang Mai, Thailand. It was founded by Jean Michel Beurdeley, his late wife Patsri Bunnag, and their son Eric Bunnag Booth, all of whom are art collectors with a deep interest in promoting contemporary art in Thailand.
The museum's name, MAIIAM, is a play on words that combines the name of Eric's great-grandmother, "Mai," with the word "iam," which in Thai can mean 'both bright/shining' and 'has (a) face'. It symbolizes both a personal tribute and the idea of a vivid identity or presence.
MAIIAM opened its doors to the public in July 2016. The museum showcases a wide range of contemporary art with a focus on both established and emerging Thai and regional artists. The collection includes various forms of media such as painting, sculpture, installation, photography, and video art.
The design of the building itself is notable. The renovation of an existing warehouse into the museum space was led by the architectural firm all(zone), based in Bangkok. The museum features a striking façade consisting of small mirrored tiles that reflect the surrounding landscape and symbolize the idea of looking inwards and outwards, mirroring the museum's role as a space for reflection through art.
MAIIAM offers various exhibitions, artist talks, workshops, and educational programs aimed at engaging the local community as well as international visitors. It has quickly become a significant cultural destination in the region, providing valuable exposure for contemporary Thai artists and contributing to the cultural landscape of Chiang Mai and beyond.
The museum's name, MAIIAM, is a play on words that combines the name of Eric's great-grandmother, "Mai," with the word "iam," which in Thai can mean 'both bright/shining' and 'has (a) face'. It symbolizes both a personal tribute and the idea of a vivid identity or presence.
MAIIAM opened its doors to the public in July 2016. The museum showcases a wide range of contemporary art with a focus on both established and emerging Thai and regional artists. The collection includes various forms of media such as painting, sculpture, installation, photography, and video art.
The design of the building itself is notable. The renovation of an existing warehouse into the museum space was led by the architectural firm all(zone), based in Bangkok. The museum features a striking façade consisting of small mirrored tiles that reflect the surrounding landscape and symbolize the idea of looking inwards and outwards, mirroring the museum's role as a space for reflection through art.
MAIIAM offers various exhibitions, artist talks, workshops, and educational programs aimed at engaging the local community as well as international visitors. It has quickly become a significant cultural destination in the region, providing valuable exposure for contemporary Thai artists and contributing to the cultural landscape of Chiang Mai and beyond.