Great and Good Friends Curator’s Talk at MAIIAM

June 5

Trevor Merrion presented Great and Good Friends Curator’s Talk at MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum hosted by Jennifer A. Harhigh U.S. Consulate General Chiang Mai. This exhibition, a gift of friendship from the American people, displays the official gifts exchanged between American Presidents and Thai Kings over the past 200 years. Trevor provided insight on these incredible objects and the rich moments in history they represent. Among the gifts on display are a set of gold nielloware  from King Chulalongkorn to the Smithsonian Institution 1876, a cigarette case with the royal cypher of King Ananda Mahidol to President Franklin D. Roosevelt 1945 (a Gift of Peace conveying the Kingdoms desire for peace), a ceremonial gold robe from Prince Wan Waithayakon to the Smithsonian Institution 1947, a gold Niello desk set a gfit from King Bhumipol Adulyadej to President Dwight D. Eisenhower 1960. Many more items are on display. The exhibition is on display at Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles in the grounds of the Grand Palace in Bangkok. The exhibition is on display until 30 June 2018 and is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.  Admission is 150 baht for adults, 50 baht for students with IDs.  It is free for children under 12 years old.  Last admission is at 3:30 p.m. Eric Bunnag Booth, the co-owner of MAIIAM, explained MAIIAM is a tribute to his great grand aunt Jao Jom Iam, a royal consort to HM King Rama V. In the exhibition there is a letter from Phraya Suriyawong Montri (Dit Bunnag) to President James Monroe 1818; therefore this talk on the exhibition has a special place at MAIIAM. Learn more about Great and Good Friends! Check out: www.greatandgoodfriends.com