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Yodying Chaiwut

"My name is Yodying Chaiwut. I am the second of three children. My father died when I was a child so my mother, Buakham Thapun, married again. My stepfather's name is Kaew Thapun. He was serving under the crown and my mother was a homemaker. My older sister was also serving under the crown and my youngest sister is studying at at university.

"I had a cheerful childhood, even though my mother and stepfather divorced. I didn't worry. I was a leader when I was studying, in primary school through high school. At university, I once was in a dance competition and received level-six prizes in 1999.

"I like handicrafts. I study by myself and, what I don't know, I ask knowledgeable people. When I was studying, my family's financial situation wasn't very good, so I went to school and worked at the same time. I studied sword dance, and I still enjoy performing even though I'm not paid to do so.

"My expertise is in design. I design works for my uncle and my older brother also creates handicrafts. Although I was not able to formally study art, I have learned through experience and from relatives. My father was a skilled craftsman and I also absorbed knowledge from him while he was living. For me, craft work makes me calm.

"I was working for my aunt but I resigned because I wanted to progress on my own. I have all her support and encouragement and am grateful for the opportunity she gave me. I respect my aunt so much.

"I like things related to my own Lanna, or northern Thai culture, so I studied sword dance and carving. I am now 28 years old [in 2007] so I can share my knowledge. These days I'm learning about color, as I want to create carvings in color.

"If I do well today, if I fall, I'll be able to get up again more quickly. I strive to compose myself so that I can walk toward the future with stability.

"The inspiration for my work comes from my family, my wife, my children. I love Lanna art so I create works of the highest quality to represent it. Through my art and my love for it, I find opportunities for my family and for my village.

"I am not a conformist. I don't think the same as other people and I don't craft the same designs that others do, so my work is unique. I use mango wood, teak and rain tree wood.

"In life, my greatest challenge was learning to carve. My father and stepfather taught me but, at first, I couldn't carve very well. But now I want to show my works to the people of the world. Welcome to Thailand."