Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ploy Rujirawanichtep. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Ploy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I feel like all of my embroidery art are meaningful for me ( I treat all my work as my baby hahaha). But the most meaningful work I’ve create is “The garden of in-between”. It is the projection I’ve truly found myself who I am both in artistic ways and as a person. This project creates the conversation of being a hybrid person.

I was born and raised in Thailand by a Thai-Chinese family. I’ve never felt it is difficult for me to live in two different cultures because there are so many Chinese people in Thailand. Although I’ve realized that the diversity of cultures is far more interesting to me now that I’ve moved to America for my master’s in fibers. I simultaneously felt like I belonged and did not belong and always struggle with it. However, in order to adapt, I naturally combining my ethnic culture with my surrounding culture.I would say that the arts, food, music, fashion, and lifestyle of American culture as well as my Thai-Chinese culture have an impact on every aspect of my current life. I began to look at the similarities between these cultures and subconsciously build my character and embroidery art around that. And that’s when the word “hybrid” is used.

Hybrid is the term we all know that it is referred to a thing made by combining two different elements or mixed cultures.

This project shows the sense of in-between of being a hybrid person through my life experience. I created the collection of embroidery installations that combine Thai, Chinese, and Western elements. Thai hanging garland serves as the inspiration for the artwork’s main structure, which displays my foundational race. As well as Western flower arrangements to decorate the garland to demonstrate how I can adapt to my surroundings while never forgetting my origins. Additionally, there is an animal mask from a Chinese zodiac sign in the middle of the garland. The work demonstrates how difficult it is to create a personality from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

It’s quite confusing and overwhelming but that’s what life is.

I think that people may encounter the same in-between feeling in various situations.
You might feel like you don’t fit in at school, with your friends, or even with the food you eat, or that you’re stuck in the middle of something. Everyone experienced both positive and negative emotions as a result. Even though I am aware of how difficult it is, I continue to try to see the bright side. To me, being a hybrid person give me a wider perspective of living and creating art.

My project is to send the message to all who have experienced those feeling that they are not alone, And being a hybrid isn’t all that bad.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Ploy Rujirawanichtep. I think people might remember me as a long last name girl 😂. I am a textile artist from Thailand, specializing in embroidery art. I earned my bachelor’s degree in textile art at a university in Thailand and got my master’s degree at SCAD.

My embroidery journey began when I was very young. My teacher gave me a homework assignment to teach myself how to sew buttons. Even though I knew it was easy, I asked my mother to complete the task for me. Unexpectedly, she taught me how to sew buttons into the shapes of flowers and Mikey mouse. That was the first time I was mesmerized by how simple thread and needle could create art.

I began my artistic career alongside other artists. Drawing and painting were my very first forms of emotional expression. When I was a college student, I started to experiment with different media and tools to create art and fall in love with threads immediately after I used it for the first time. Threads for me is like pencils. It is an ordinary tool that create something extraordinary. Ever since, I’ve made threads my main medium.

I made the decision to work as a florist for a year after graduating. It helps me comprehend flowers and how to use them in artwork. My embroidery art continues to evolve even as I work as a florist. I understand that I need to gain more experience and venture out to find as much inspiration as possible if I want to establish myself in the textile industries. I chose to go study abroad in America where I discovered my true self and a stronger connection to textile art.

I once believed that I am the one who gave meaning to all of my work. But now I realize that it is my work that gives me meaning.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist, in my opinion, is that there are no creative boundaries. I used to be the least favorite student in college because my painting skills were not as good as others’. I always underestimate my artistic ability and passion. Nonetheless, I moved on from that feeling during the pandemic period. It was time for all of us to stay at home. I also felt unproductive. I began to grab my painting tools and paint whatever I wanted without regard for approval from others. Then I realized how much fun drawing is, and I’ve been doing it ever since.

What I mean is that being an artist is neither easy nor difficult. But you must persevere, and your inventiveness will astound you!!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

To me, it’s quite simple. I enjoy creating art that makes people happy. I always imagine how people will react to my embroidery work as I work on it. Of course, not everything was positive, but I can use all of the comments and critiques to improve my future work. Meanwhile, I’m currently putting my work into wedding events. I realize that a wedding event is a special day for every couple and family. I would love to make something they can keep to remind them of a happy moment with their significant other which will last forever.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ployh.com/
• Instagram: ployh.studio
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ployh/