In 1999, Louise Bourgeois unveiled her monumental sculpture, Maman, a towering nine-meter-tall spider, symbolizing motherly love. The metal piece was a tribute to Bourgeois’ mother, a tapestry restorer who passed away young and whose ability to mend broken things was mirrored in the spider’s healing role. Today, a bronze version of Maman stands at the Khao Yai Art Forest in Thailand, surrounded by the breathtaking Khao Yai National Park. This is one of the most striking pieces in the forest, founded by Marisa Chearavanont, who sought to create a sanctuary of art and nature.
Chearavanont, originally from South Korea, relocated to Thailand after years in Hong Kong. A member of Thailand’s wealthiest family, the Chearavanonts, through the Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group), Chearavanont is committed to environmental restoration and promoting cultural healing through art. During the pandemic, she was drawn to the restorative power of Khao Yai National Park, prompting her purchase of the nearby land to establish the art forest.
The Khao Yai Art Forest is a project born from the desire to combat the environmental damage caused by monoculture farming and promote natural restoration. The forest showcases an array of sculptures by renowned artists such as Richard Long and Fujiko Nakaya, whose Khao Yai Fog Forest uses mist to create lush terrain, a symbol of healing. The forest’s offerings include outdoor installations like Long’s Madrid Circle and Ubatsat’s Pilgrimage to Eternity, as well as local culinary experiences designed by chefs from the Chef Cares foundation, another of Chearavanont’s initiatives.
While Chearavanont’s efforts to restore the land reflect her personal commitment to healing, she also aims to build a legacy. As an art patron and philanthropist, Chearavanont invests in the Thai art scene, including the Bangkok Kunsthalle, a new space for art exhibitions. This site reflects her philosophy of minimal intervention—maintaining the building’s fire damage as part of its history rather than renovating it. Through these projects, she hopes to foster an environment where culture, art, and nature can thrive together, ultimately leaving a positive and lasting impact on both the land and the community.
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