Michael Shaowanasai is one of Thailand’s most socially and culturally engaged artists. With degrees from the San Francisco Art Institute (BFA) and the Art Institute of Chicago (MFA), he works across a broad spectrum of media including performance, photography, video, film, painting, and installation. Known for his iconic cross-dressing monk portrait of a man in habits, Shaowanasai is a versatile artist whose conceptual pieces, often text-based, are effective for their aesthetic brilliance and formal command.