dailydelicious: Travel with dailydelicious: New York... What can I do, I'm falling in love with you.

I’d never been to New York before, so I had a lot of ideas in my head ^^ (or you can call it “hope”, haha) because when watching movies or series, it seems to be beautiful and tidy. Anyway I will tell you about it (in a large scale) now.

I went there with other bloggers and reporters to see the Exhibition at Agora Gallery (this Gallery located in the heart of New York's famous Chelsea art district). “Metamorphosis: Banjerd Lekkong a Solo Exhibition” by Thai artist Banjerd Lekkong, (Under the "Thai Art on the World Stage with Singha Park" project, as Singha is working with Agora Gallery to give outstanding Thai artists the opportunity to enter the global art market by exhibiting in New York.) Mr. Banjerd Lekkong, produces very unique and beautiful metal sculptures.

(Photo: Chatchawan Luangruangtip)

We flew with Emirates airline which means we needed to change the plane at Dubai. Whenever I fly, it’s a direct flight, but this time after 6 hours we had a time to walk and do some shopping at Dubai Airport. It’s good for long flight (total 20 hours +). After boarding we had to spend another 14 hours on the plane (I slept all the time, haha), so it’s not a long flight for me.

Because I saw a lot of movies, JFK Airport makes me a bit nervous actually there’s nothing to be afraid of (well, I’m not a terrorist anyway ^^), just answering the question and we passed the immigration easily. But we had to wait for our tour guide as he brought Thai food for us (some of Thai people can’t stand eating western food all the time).

Time Square

We checked in at Westine Time Square, if you love to be in the center of the city, this is the place. (The breakfast at this hotel is very good too). Just walking out of the hotel and you’re at Time Square, with a lot of shops like M&M shop, Disney’s Store, Hard Rock, and many of them are close at 2 a.m., so you have all the time in the world to spend your money, haha.

Statue of Liberty

First part of this trip, we did what all the the tourist do, such as go to see Statue of Liberty.

Strawberry filed

Visit Central Park to see “Strawberry filed” landscaped section dedicated to the memory of former Beatle John Lennon. See New York view at one world trade center, shop at Woodbury outlet (this place is 1.30 hours drive from Manhattan) Visit some Museums (I had to say some, as a large group we can’t go to every Museum and spend a lot of time). While we were in New York there were a lot of roadworks, which cause a traffic jam, (we went everywhere by bus), and I thought we’re in Bangkok not in New York, haha.

(Photo:Chatchawan Luangruangtip)

At that time ( 25-31 May), the weather was very warm, warm weather+traffic jam I really believed that we were still in Thailand! Anyway, because we spent a lot of time in the bus, I had a chance to know a lot of people and had a very good time with my new friends, I enjoyed meeting people in other fields of business (and interest).

with Banjerd Lekkong

The main event was "Metamorphosis: Banjerd Lekkong a Solo Exhibition” (May 20 - June 9, 2016) at Agora gallery, Thai artist who supported by Singhapark Chiangrai, (a social enterprise project of Thailand's Singha Corp, I wrote about this social enterprise before, you can read it here.).

After seeing the city, I knew that in this city of art, this is where people live in the world of art! There are a load of museums, galleries and even street art like graffiti. So, when someone from Thailand can have a Solo Exhibition, he must be something.

Banjerd Lekkong, produces very detailed and beautiful metal sculptures. He was born in Nakhon Ratchasima in Thailand's northeastern region. He graduated from Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, and trained as an architect and has also worked as an interior designer. After Financial crisis in Thailand he became more determined to create more iron and steel sculpture in his own style. You can learn more about his works here at www.lekkong.com

His works are very beautiful.

11 Monkey Kings Metamorphosed into Three-Headed Elephant

Ganesh

Phra Ram Arrow Shooting

Singhapark Chiangrai, provides Its sponsorship of this exhibition entails funding the transport of the heavy works of art to New York. Under the "Thai Art on the World Stage with Singha Park" project, Singha is working with Agora Gallery to give outstanding Thai artists the opportunity to enter the global art market by exhibiting in New York.

"Singha recognizes the value of Banjerd's work", says Singhapark Chiangrai Managing Director Pongrat Luangthamrongcharoen. "We are excited about this partnership and we plan to do this yearly. Our goal is to introduce outstanding Thai artists to the global art scene."

In the Gallery

It will be the first solo exhibition by a Thai artist at Agora Gallery, a contemporary fine art gallery located in the heart of New York's famous Chelsea art district.

with A-Day Magazine co-founder (Wongthanong Chainarongsingha)

ผลงานของคุณบรรเจิดที่ได้ขึ้น บิลบอร์ดบนไทม์สแควร์

"Thai Art on the World Stage with Singha Park" project will continue supporting Thai artists by offering them the opportunity to introduce themselves to the global art scene, if you’re interested in this project you can read more about it here: http://singhaparksocialenterprise.com/worldclassthaiartist/

Plus; We had a chance to see Mr. Banjerd Lekkong and his works at Agora Gallery before the reception day too. So beside from his works, we looked around to see other works from many artists on the second floor of the gallery.

Ping Lian Yeak's work

It made me proud that Thai artist can have his Solo Exhibition at this prestigious Agora Gallery. And I really hope that with supporting from Singha Park, we will see new and talented Thai artist who can make us proud every years from now.