Chatrawee Thongnak

Textile Artist

Chatrawee Thongnak, known by her artist name “Rawee,” meaning the sun, the source of life and energy, was born and raised in Bangkok. She now lives and works in Chiang Mai, where her passion for art, design, and nature continues to grow.

Rawee’s inspiration began with her grandfather, who encouraged her to pursue the path of art. She creates textile works that reflect the beauty of nature and the philosophy of sustainability, focusing on silk dyed with natural pigments extracted from local plants such as Indian almond and longan leaves—materials often considered agricultural waste—transforming them into elegant works of textile art.

Her creations often draw from the forms and rhythms of nature, while also expressing the “voices and emotions of Alzheimer’s patients,” inspired by her father, who has been battling the illness. Through her fabrics, she conveys themes of memory, fragility, and love, translating emotion into color, texture, and form that invite reflection and empathy.

Rawee’s creative process combines traditional dyeing wisdom with contemporary hand-painting techniques, resulting in distinctive textile pieces that bridge cultural heritage and modern expression. Her works have been exhibited in Chengdu, China, as well as in Norway, Bangkok, and Chiang Mai, reflecting her vision of bringing Thai craftsmanship and ecological art to audiences both locally and internationally.