Asian Geographic - April 2018

(singke) #1

Woodcarving


Thai woodcarving, called Kruang Mai Cham


Lak, is considered one of the country’s


traditional art forms. Done in an ancient


artistic style, carvings are divided into three


types: bas-relief, deep-relief and round-relief.


Bas-relief has flat carvings only on the front


of the wood, with few curves. Deep-relief


carvings have three dimensions: depth, width,


and height. Examples of round-relief carvings


include Buddha sculptures, which have been


carved on every side. Since wood decays easily


compared to cement or brick, Thai wood


art is very rare, and a work can take years to


complete, requiring high levels of patience


and artistic skill by the carver. Today, skilled


craftsmen are rarely found, and few are willing


to become disciples.


Baan Tawai village is a renowned source
of woodcarving products in Chiang Mai.
Craftsmen with over 40 years of experience
meticulously hand-carve these wooden
sculptures; the village has exported so many
that it has been named “the woodcarving
village”. To showcase the woodcarvings and
support this semi-rural area, Baan Tawai was
named one of the OTOP Tourism Villages of
Thailand featuring local crafts. ag

Thai wood art is very rare,


and a work can take years


to complete, requiring high


levels of patience


WHEN
8am–5pm daily

WHERE
Baan Tawai village,
90 Moo 2, Baan Tawai

HOW
From Chiang Mai
International Airport,
it’s a 40-minute taxi ride

EXPERIENCE


WOODCARVING


CHIANG MAI


Baan Tawai

above A craftsman
chisels a deep-relief
car ving from a new
block of wood

PHOTO © SHUTTERSTOCK
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