The Process of Transmitting Thai Craftsmanship-Based Contemporary Art by Thai Craft Studio

Abstract

This article is part of the research on the approach to inheriting Thai craftmanship which is a case study of Thai Craft Studio. The purpose of this research was to study Thai Craft Studio’s process of transmitting and inheriting Thai craftsmanship to the general public leading to the transmission guideline in terms of the short-term workshops. The study was conducted by using a qualitative research method including in-depth interviews with the participants chosen with purposive sampling by the experts in craftmanship including craftmanship instructors and learners related to the research field. The researcher employed documentary research, field research, non-participant observation, participant observation,
and in-depth interview in this study and used descriptive analysis to draw a conclusion from the study. The results show that: 1) Management of the training courses: It is found that each year different and rotational workshops should be organized and announced in advance before each month. 2) Design of the workshops: The workshops should be suitable for every learner although they have no background in art skills and they should enable the learners to further their own creation. 3) Adaptation and development: The working equipment
should be adjusted and changed based on the work piece’s characteristics. Moreover, the role of craft instructors, promotional media and publication, craftmanship tools, and locations for Thai craftmanship should be changed into an approachable and modern form. 4) Value of short-term workshops: Learners’self-development will increase in terms of knowledge, mindfulness, emotions, and social network. 5) Guidelines for the transmission of Thai craftsmanship for the general public with various status: It is found that the presentation method of Thai Crafts Studio stimulated awareness in society and promoted Thai crafts learning through a contemporary application process and it made the dissemination of Thai craftsmanship continue.