II. Layers of peace and inclusivity
Part 2 of an international solo on ”Lanna“ by Lim Siang Jin. This online contemporary photography exhibition, comprising 20 parts, is from May 6 to June 5, 2025
LANNA’S temples embody different layers of peace and inclusivity. Inside, Buddha chambers offer silent spaces for meditation, guiding worshippers toward mindfulness. Beyond the walls, cultural harmony emerges in the blending of Buddhist and Hindu influences, reflecting Lanna’s inclusive spiritual traditions. Artistic inclusivity is evident in detailed craftsmanship, where religious symbols intertwine seamlessly. Together, these three aspects—spiritual, cultural, and artistic—create a holistic sanctuary.
Rippling surface of peace
WALKING by the lake at Wat Rong Khun, I watched koi fish move through shifting reflections. Their soft colours contrasted with the temple’s white spires. A breeze distorted the water’s surface, revealing a quieter aspect of the temple beyond its striking appearance. Designed in 1997 by Chalermchai Kositpipat, Wat Rong Khun blends art and spirituality. Its deeper meaning, I felt, unfolded not in grandeur but in small moments—light on water, movement within stillness. True peace is not static but found in accepting change, much like the rippling reflections that briefly distort yet never erase the temple’s presence. I decided to enhance this moment, adding to it the splendour of colours I felt in my heart.
Tranquillity in greens and yellows
I FOUND greens, particularly leaf green with dashes of yellow, to be the perfect colours to capture how I feel about Wat Umong—like sunlight filtering through dense canopies, dappling the moss-covered pathways with warm, golden hues. Green, the colour of renewal and balance, mirrors the stillness of the forest, while yellow, a shade of enlightenment in Buddhist tradition, evokes a quiet warmth. Together, they create an atmosphere of gentle introspection.
If people were present, they would move mindfully, their footsteps barely audible. Voices would be whispers, or perhaps the low, rhythmic chants of mantras drifting through the air. Here, the focus turns inward. Wat Umong is not a place of grand rituals but of quiet contemplation, where each visitor respects the stillness of others seeking solace within their own inner sanctum. It is a sanctuary where nature and spirituality merge, offering a tranquil retreat for the soul.
Modern cities, timeless serenity
CHIANG MAI and Chiang Rai buzz with modernity—airports, co-working spaces, neon-lit markets. Yet temples like Wat Umong and Wat Rong Khun anchor these cities in contemplation. Urban serenity here is a choice, a conscious intertwining of progress and peace. In Lanna, tranquillity persists not by resisting change but by flowing with it, ensuring stillness remains woven into the fabric of daily life.
For more information, click on links: Stephen Menon, O Art Space Gallery, Lim Siang Jin and his art, here and here. For a detailed acknowledgment, click here