Patana Canvases: Unveiling the Artistic Practices of Our Community
Exhibition
Exhibition curated by Purnima Ruanglertbutr at the Exhibition Hall – Arts Centre, Bangkok Patana School, January – February 2025
Overview
About the exhibition
The Teachers as Practitioners (TAPs) exhibition celebrates the artistic talents of Bangkok Patana School’s staff. TAPs participants explore their creative passions – whether as professionals or hobbyists – blending their artistic pursuits with their professional roles in the school environment.
The TAPs Project is a new Continued Professional Learning (CPL) programme grounded in pioneering research, showing that creative practice enriches well-being, collaboration, and teaching. By putting artistic expression at the heart of education, this exhibition strengthens community connections and inspires innovative approaches to learning. Here, creativity flourishes beyond the classroom or office, inspiring a culture of collaboration, connection, curiosity, risk-taking, motivation and artistic exploration.
The theme of ‘Patana Canvases’ is a metaphor for boundless potential and transformative journeys, where individuality and co-creation unite to express unique visions, shaping a dynamic, inclusive identity and shared legacy.
MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
Explore the exhibition’s coverage through the exhibition trailer, Highlights video of the Inaugural ‘Teachers as Arts Practitioners Project’ Exhibition 2024-25, a virtual tour, the 2025 launch re-watch, Patana Life’s spectacular event coverage, the TAPs exhibition launch article, and student insights sharing their experiences.
Curator's statement
Concept
The Teachers as Arts Practitioners (TAPs) exhibition reveals how fostering creative practice enhances pedagogy, strengthens community connections, reinvigorates passion-led teaching and work, nurtures artistic confidence, encourages cross-disciplinary connections, and fosters a vibrant community of creative practitioners. Through reflections, case studies and research insights, this exhibition examines the ‘artist-teacher’ phenomenon and the role of creativity in education, inviting educators, school leaders, artists, and arts advocates to explore the potential of creative practice in shaping individuals, international schools and communities while inspiring a dynamic learning environment.
This collection features the artistic works of over 30 academic and business staff members from Bangkok Patana School. Through their participation in the TAPs CPL Programme, these individuals explore the balance and relationship between their creative practices and professional roles within the school community. ‘Patana Canvases’ showcases their passions, diverse inspirations, and personal and professional journeys, celebrating creativity, learning, and the courage to take risks. Spanning a variety of mediums – including photography, painting, embroidery, sculpture, music, creative writing, performance art, and more – this exhibition highlights the incredible talent and expression within our community. May each artist’s unique perspective, creative process, and story inspire you to embrace and celebrate your own creative interests.
The TAPs Story
Exhibition Catalogue
This catalogue features 31 staff artists from the TAPs programme, showcasing how artistic practice fosters personal and professional growth. It includes reflective statements and Purnima’s report, ‘The Power of Creative Practice in Education,’ highlighting art’s transformative impact on well-being, teaching and school culture—essential for anyone passionate about arts in education.
Explore Exhibition Gallery
photos
Curatorial Enquiries
If you are interested in engaging Purnima as a curator, writer, or editor for your exhibition, collaborating on a project, or seeking more information, please feel free to contact us.