Arunee Sribhibhadh, Secondary Thai Teacher | Teachers as Arts Practitioners (TAPs) Project: Artist Spotlight

Purnima Ruanglertbutr , TAPs Project Lead | Secondary English Teacher

SHOWCASING THE DIVERSE CREATIVE TALENTS OF OUR COMMUNITY

The TAPs (Teachers as Arts Practitioners) Project is a new Continued Professional Learning (CPL) programme that fosters a vibrant environment where academic and business staff can explore their creative passions alongside their professional roles. Much research demonstrates the invaluable impact that artists in schools have on students: active engagement in the arts fosters personal well-being, strengthens community connections and enriches pedagogical approaches. This initiative culminates in our inaugural exhibition, Patana Canvases: Unveiling the Artistic Practices of Our Community, running from Wednesday, 29th January to Friday, 7th February 2025 at the Exhibition Hall, Arts Centre. The exhibition features an inspiring showcase of works by over 30 academic and business staff from across the school, spanning diverse mediums including visual art, photography, creative writing, textiles and more. Attendees can also enjoy live performances at the TAPs exhibition launch party on Friday, 31st January, between 3:00–5:00 pm. This column offers a glimpse into each artists’ own unique perspective and approach to the creative process and we hope their stories will inspire you.

INTERVIEW WITH ARUNEE SRIBHIBHADH, SECONDARY SCHOOL THAI TEACHER

1. Tell us about your creative hobbies

I have loved art since childhood, enjoying watercolour painting and crafts like cross-stitch, embroidery and making flowers from Japanese clay. During my summer break, I often spend time embroidering. I came across a Facebook page offering a basic embroidery course and decided to sign up. My first project, ‘Lines & Stitches: Wildflowers,’ amazed me by how stitches and lines could create diverse patterns, much like painting on a canvas. Inspired, I continued taking more courses, practising advanced techniques like colour shading and 3D-raised embroidery.

2. What have you created for the upcoming TAPs exhibition and why? Are there any ideas or messages you hope to communicate through your art?

I am showcasing two sets of embroidery to capture the beauty and grace of birds, highlighting their unique features. The first set is inspired by Ikebana, the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement, which emphasises minimalism, line and form. Each piece features a single flower in the centre of a vase, focusing on simple beauty and using fewer elements to highlight the elegance of each flower, branch, or leaf. The designs follow the traditional Ikebana structure of Shin (the tallest element, symbolising heaven), Soe (the secondary element, representing humans), and Tai (the smallest, symbolising earth), creating a balanced composition that guides the arrangement. The second set explores the beauty of birds in two distinct styles. The first style uses a gradient shading technique, with the long and short stitch as the primary method. I enjoy blending thread colours to create smooth gradients that bring each bird to life with light and shadow. The second style resembles cross-stitch but is blackwork embroidery. I use outline stitches to create patterns, adding texture to different parts of the birds.

3. Can you describe the processes or materials you chose and why they are important to your work?

Embroidery is a powerful tool for creativity and fostering mindfulness. The act of stitching requires focus and patience, allowing me to slow down and stay present. This focus clears my mind and allows new ideas to flow. Choosing colours, selecting threads, and designing pat- terns are all part of a creative process. Each stitch builds on the next, transforming a blank cloth into a unique piece of art. Embroidery lets me explore textures, play with colours, and make choices that shape the final design.

4. How has being part of the TAPs Project influenced your creativity? What have you enjoyed about participating in the programme?

I enjoy doing handicrafts, such as sewing and embroidery. I mostly spend my free time during the holidays or school breaks working on these types of art, often creating pieces like animals and flowers. When I joined TAPs, I wondered what I could showcase in the exhibition. I then came up with two themes: Japanese flower arrangement (Ikebana) and pictures of birds. Participating in TAPs has really inspired my creative process. I’ve learned to think more deeply about my themes and how to present my work using different techniques.

5. How have the Learning 4 Learners CPL workshops helped you develop artistically or professionally?

Even though we’re busy, I really enjoy connecting with other TAPs members. I love seeing their artwork and dis- cussing our shared passions. The supportive environment encourages me to try new things and think outside the box. The feedback and support from others have helped me improve my skills and experiment with different materials and styles. Overall, it has made me more confident and motivated to explore my creativity.

We look forward to sharing more with you in upcoming editions, as we continue to highlight the creative journeys of our TAPs Project artists!