Bangkok-based artist Char paints emotion through abstraction. Each brushstroke is a quiet dialogue between light, memory and the art of being present.

Today we delve into one of the cornerstones of modern abstract art through the lens of Charannatan Tanachoteporamat, also known as Char. 

“Abstract art opens up so much space for thought — it allows people to see whatever they want without being told what something should be. Some assume it’s easy or question whether it’s truly art but that’s the beauty of it. It invites curiosity, not certainty. My abstract work feels like pure freedom,”

Char says.

Her work, featured in leading publications and major exhibitions such as at 137 Pillars Hotel, Inkhong Art Space and the 14th Art Exhibition of the International Visual Artists Association of Thailand, stands as both a celebration of modern art and a gentle invitation to reflect. Through Char’s story we uncover her artistic evolution and how her work mirrors the quiet, healing power of emotion.

How Char Found Her Voice in Abstraction

Char had loved art for as long as she could remember, though as a child she never saw herself as particularly talented, just another girl who liked to draw. Everything changed during her exchange year in America, when an encouraging art teacher recognised her potential, gave her space to create and helped her exhibit her work. For the first time she felt confident in her craft. That experience led her to study Visual Arts at Chulalongkorn University, where she graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with First Class Honours. In 2016, during her university years, she also attended a short course in Fine Arts and Design at Birmingham City University in the UK, earning a Certificate of Attendance.

“I’ve found that the approach to art in Thailand and the UK is quite different, yet both are equally valuable. In Thailand the focus is on skill, technique and building a strong foundation, really mastering the craft. In the UK it’s more about the concept; you start with what you want to say before deciding how to express it. That gave me freedom to think, while Thailand gave me freedom to experiment. One trained my hands, the other trained my mind. I feel lucky to have fully experienced both.”

Char never planned to become an abstract artist. At university she studied traditional oil painting, but over time as her work naturally evolved, she began stripping away details until only the essence remained. What started as realism became abstraction through instinct and reflection.

In her early years as an artist much of Char’s inspiration came from her journey to Europe. Travelling or simply noticing sunlight, water and everyday textures often sparks her creativity. 

“It’s like something inside me wakes up,”

she says. 

The Art of Being Present: Char’s Evolving Vision

However, in recent years, Char has continued to evolve her artistic voice through personal and thought-provoking collections. Evince in 2023 marked a turning point, a celebration of authenticity and self-acceptance in her creative journey. She explores what she terms “X feelings”, the complex mix of positive and negative emotions she realised were interwoven in her experience. The result is a collection that invites viewers into reflection: part creative manifesto, part emotional map grounded in Char’s journey of self-recognition.

“In my recent collection, the work feels much more intense in terms of communication. I want people to take something meaningful away from it. These days there’s a lot of conversation around being present, and that’s exactly what I hope to convey. You don’t need to dwell on the past or worry about the future. I want to remind people to live in the moment, to accept what has been, and to carry on from here. There’s something truly beautiful about simply being present.”

Her next collection OVOID, presented in 2024, marked another personal chapter in Char’s artistic journey. The recurring oval form that appeared across 12 paintings became a powerful symbol of emotional release, a reflection of her process of confronting and accepting past heartbreak. The collection was later showcased at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok.  

In the collection there’s an installation piece, Right Over, that extends that idea of presence and renewal. Created in collaboration with XD49 Limited, it invites viewers to engage with the cyclical nature of thought and emotion through light, movement and form. 

“For this installation I wanted people to lie down and ground themselves on a bed of beans, a natural element I use in my work. As they rest they look up to see a projection of a campfire slowly rotating above them. The repetition of the movement is almost meditative, encouraging each person to reflect within their own mind.” 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @char.t_

Beyond the Canvas: Char’s Journey Through Material, Memory and Place

Lately Char has found herself drawn to sculpture, a medium that allows her to explore form and material in new, tactile ways. The process has sparked something within her: a desire to keep experimenting. In her most recent work, she used glass for the first time, fascinated by its fragility and the way it catches the light. She laughs as she recalls asking if she could blow the glass herself, only to be told she wasn’t allowed. Still the experience has inspired her to keep discovering which materials speak to her most, and how they can best express what words cannot.

As most of her work has been inspired by her travels across Europe, Koktail asked Char what it would be like if she were to paint Thailand — and how the country has shaped her creative vision.

“I often get asked to create work inspired by different provinces. Songkhla is one of my favourites. I love its old architecture and blend of cultures. The bold, sun-soaked colours and rich textures of its walls and bricks tell such powerful stories.

Bangkok would be a contrast: like bright, fast and full of energy. I love walking through cities, noticing small details. Here I tried walking once early in the morning, around six or seven, when the light was gentle. Even then you could feel how alive the city was.” 

In every city lies its own charm and for Char, that charm becomes colour, texture and rhythm. 

From now until 19 January 2026, Char’s Right Over installation will be on display at The Coffee Academïcs at King’s Square alongside her other works. This marks her first collaboration outside the traditional gallery setting, blending art with lifestyle. The café’s Art Blend concept reimagines how people experience art through sight, atmosphere and even taste m, with a special menu created in collaboration with Char and the resident chef, inspired by her paintings.

“I’d tell young people who are interested in art not to be afraid, just do it and trust yourself. I think this new generation is already much braver and more expressive than we were growing up, and that’s something to be proud of. Try new things, experiment and make art you can touch. Paint on real surfaces, use your hands, feel the texture. Don’t be afraid to get messy or make mistakes because there’s no right or wrong in art. The only thing that matters is that you start. And of course, keep learning, look at other artists, study their work and use that inspiration to discover what’s uniquely yours.”