ASEAN Artist Residency Programme Expo 2025 Special Edition: A Journey of Art, Culture, and Connectivity
- Dream Office
- 12 minutes ago
- 2 min read
On 29 October 2025, the ASEAN Artist Residency Programme (AARP) held an official artwork handover ceremony at the ASEAN Secretariat Gallery in Jakarta, Indonesia. The event was presided over by H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, and attended by members of the diplomatic community, media representatives, and art enthusiasts from various countries.
Mr. Patrick Horatanachai, Vice President Head of Corporate Affairs Thailand of Thai Beverage Public Company Limited (ThaiBev), also attended the ceremony. The occasion marked a meaningful conclusion to this year’s edition of the ASEAN Artist Residency Programme and reaffirmed ThaiBev’s role in promoting regional cooperation in the fields of arts, culture, and creative exchange.
Ms. Souphalak Phongsavath, the selected artist from the Lao PDR, completed a one-month residency in Osaka, Japan during Expo 2025. She created an artwork titled “The Little Beetle’s Journey”, using charcoal and natural materials to express themes of inclusivity, sustainability, and biodiversity, in alignment with Malaysia’s theme of ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025. The artwork will be displayed at the ASEAN Arts Gallery at the ASEAN Secretariat, reflecting the beauty of ASEAN’s diverse arts and expressing the story the artist wishes to communicate.
Since its launch in 2018, the ASEAN Artist Residency Programme has served as a vital platform for developing and supporting emerging artists from across the region, enabling them to grow and present their work on the international stage. At the same time, the support and collaboration from ThaiBev and C asean reflect a shared belief in the power of arts as a form of diplomacy—one that can bridge borders and languages, foster understanding, and promote deeper cooperation among nations.
Photo credit: ASEAN Secretariat