President of Design for Disasters Foundation Vipavee Kunavichayanont MArch ’08 debuted the exhibition “Flood and Grandma Tiam’s Hats” at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre. The exhibition ran for two weeks in November 2024 and was born from the collective efforts of over 100 artists, community members, and volunteers to support flood-affected communities in Thailand.

“Flood and Grandma Tiam’s Hats” features handcrafted hats woven by Grandma Tiam, a flood survivor from Nan Province, using traditional weaving techniques that reflect the cultural heritage of her local community. These hats, which embody the identity and craftsmanship of the region, have been transformed into unique works of art by a diverse group of artists. Proceeds from the exhibition are being used to develop a prototype for amphibious emergency shelters built with locally sourced materials to aid communities in flood-prone areas.

The exhibition received enthusiastic feedback for its artistic expression and its emphasis on community-centered design. The project was initiated by Design for Disasters, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, Nan Awakening Network, and Nan Festival Group. Read more here.

Photos courtesy of Vipavee Kunavichayanont.