Womanifesto I (1997)

Womanifesto I was an exhibition staged in 1997. The Womanifesto I exhibition was organised by Nitaya Ueareeworakul and Varsha Nair and took place at Concrete House and Baan Chao Phraya Gallery in March 1997. 

It's objectives were:

'To promote a greater awareness of women in the society in which they exist by presenting their ways of thinking and doing things, which will ultimately effect among other things, the conservation ,of our environment as a whole. 

To stimulate a wider appreciation of creative ways of thinking towards our world society and the use of intellectual activities and all disciplines of art as forms of free expression. 

To help create the right atmosphere for a lively forum among Thai and international women artists where exchange of experiences can flow freely, regardless of different cultural roots.' 

Artists: Amanda Heng, Arahmaiani Rahmayani, Heidemarie Laimanee-Gauss, Ingrid H. Klauser, Jittima Pholsawek, Kanya Chareonsupakul, K.O. (Karin Obal), Khaisaeng Phanyawatchira, Mink Nopparat, Nilofar Akmut, Nittaya Uae-Reeworakul, Phaptawan Suwannakudt, Pinaree Sanpitak, Sriwan Janehuttakarnkit, Surojana Sethabutra, Tari Ito, Tei Kobayashi, Varsha Nair.

About Womanifesto I

Varsha Nair,  'Womanifesto: A Biennial Art Exchange in Thailand', Southeast of Now: Directions in Contemporary and Modern Art in Asia, vol. 3, no. 1, March 2019.

“In the midst of the biennale craze, what is your take on the possibility of having one in Thailand?” I was asked in an interview for DIAAALOGUE, Asia Art Archive’s newsletter (January 2009). My response was: “There has been a biennale in Thailand since 1997—Womanifesto. I don’t think that has even registered in people’s minds […] and way before this current ‘biennale craze’ took hold." 

Coming together via personal connections and friendship, other larger art events in Thailand happening at that time such as the Chiangmai Social Installation and Asiatopia (since 1998), and independent art spaces such as Concrete House, had also fostered a meeting ground and provided a further point of contact. Many of the participating overseas artists at Womanifesto 1—Nilofar Akmut, Amanda Heng, Arahmaiani, Tari Ito—had previously presented their works in Thailand, either at Chiang Mai or in exhibitions in Bangkok.

With frugal funding, the exhibition featuring installations, paintings, sculptures and performances took place in two gallery spaces in Bangkok: Concrete House and Baan Chao Phraya Gallery. Our homes also became sites for informal discussions and gatherings, as well as places to stay for visiting artists. This rare opportunity to meet and converse was important for us. We realised how crucial it was to continue, to establish further events where for a period of time artists could assemble also to cook, eat and live together, and to reflect and share." Read more...

The Womanifesto I catalogue text described the exhibition as a celebration of World Women's Day: 

"We are proud of our women artists whose numbers seem to grow. We have never had the opportunity to participate in any of these events in the past, but things have changed and more women are becoming involved in women's matters as manifest through their works of art. These important works have earned them the international recognition they well deserve. These works of art now command attention in many major museums in the world today.

Women artists have come to realise that it is about time they joined hands and hearts to make their voices heard for the benefit of their fellow friends.

Womanifesto will be the first of its kind in Asia. Most of the participants are well known Asian women artists who will gather together as one to present their views. Some American and European artist friends are expected to take part and will add to the truly international flavor and contribute to the grand celebration of World Women’s Day." Read more...

Somporn Rodboo on Womanifesto I, Womanifesto.com

"Through their personal contact and friendship, these women across cultures, borders and differences share some characteristics that bind them together as a group: a creator expressing herself as an artist, and through the art, deeply-felt female experiences of being a vulnerable individual, being a unifying force for family and community, a selfless devoted person as well as a nurturer are clearly captured.

Their works are intellectually and expressively created in the forms of paintings, mixed media sculptures, installations and performances. Moreover, the works prove to be original, powerful, strong and feminine … It now becomes apparent that this particular group of women artists articulate, personalise and enliven the interactive experiences of negotiating cross cultural dialogues that exist between ourselves and many others. As a consequence, boundaries are dissolved and self awareness enhanced." Read more...

Images from Womanfesto I

Further Reading

Varsha Nair, Womanifesto: A Biennial Exchange in Thailand https://muse.jhu.edu/article/721050

1997 Womanifesto I https://www.womanifesto.com/events/womanifesto-1-1997/

Womanifesto I - Womanifesto: An International Women's Art Exchange Exhibition on Asia Art Archive https://aaa.org.hk/en/collections/event-database/womanifesto-an-international-womens-art-exchange-exhibition