Chiang Mai Design Week 2025, 6 –14 DEC

ผศ.ดร.ศุลีพร คำชมภู

ART TOYS Series “Phaya Luang: The Beasts of the Lanna Skies”

This creative project presents a contemporary art toy series inspired by Phaya Luang, a mythical and auspicious creature deeply rooted in the beliefs of the Tai Lue people and later embraced as part of Lanna cultural heritage. Phaya Luang is an imaginative hybrid of five auspicious animals: elephant, deer, fish, bird, and lion. While often misunderstood as a Naga, it is more accurately seen as the "Dragon of the Tai Lue." This sacred creature symbolizes power, prosperity, and a deep spiritual connection with nature. The project aims to explore local interpretations of Phaya Luang by collecting visual references, particularly sculptures, from Tai Lue communities in Northern Thailand (Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and Phayao). These traditional forms are then reinterpreted through the design process of art toys, using the Super Deformed (SD) style. This approach simplifies complex traditional motifs into emotionally expressive and accessible forms. The series features five unique figures, each developed through a comprehensive process that includes field research, photography, conceptual sketching, 3D modeling, and prototype production using 3D printing. The final pieces are hand-painted and decorated with patterns that reflect local artistic identities. This body of work represents an interdisciplinary integration of folklore studies, visual anthropology, and contemporary design. The goal is not only to preserve intangible cultural heritage but also to create new ways of engaging with culture through art toys as objects of wisdom. Ultimately, the project seeks to bridge tradition and innovation, transforming ancient legends into modern creative expressions.