Communication Through Food The Art Project by Usawadee Srithong

Three years back I studied Fine Arts at Santiniketan , a small town in the state of West Bengal of the Indian subcontinent. Back then when I first arrived a newcomer in the town I struggled while communicating with people both in English and Bengali. But my friends there were quite kind to me and didn't make me feel excluded. They often invited me to there hostel or houses to have food with them. These encounters were wonderful opportunities for me to learn the variety of food and the cuisines that was indegenous to the Bengali people. It also helped me build up a congenial relationship amongst the people whome I dined with.Food is an important element in culture that people identify themselves with. I believe food isn't just something we eat to satisfy hunger , it's also a mode to connect me with the other friends who now share different cultural palettes.

In congruence with my experiences the Art Project is an opportunity that I want to create to begin a conversation between the audience and me . This conversation may differ from people based on their cultures i.e between the Thai people and Foreigner in Bangkok, Thailand . Although to me it is a dialogue between puri, ghughni of Bengal and Food is symbolic to a language as it's mode of communication is quite enriching and instrumental in building a relationship as it has been with friends and me. I wish to convey and utilize this concept in Ban Chao Phraya Thammasakmontri at Bangkok, Thailand once again.