Monograph: Bundit Puangthong

‘My painting is like a diary. And this is one of the chapters, or diaries, about family.’

Bundit Puangthong is a Thailand-born, Melbourne-based contemporary painter whose work celebrates the in-betweenness of living within 2 cultures. Bundit comes from a long family line of temple arts practitioners and received formal training in temple painting.

In this instalment of Monograph, the Library’s short-format documentary series, Bundit reflects on memories of his late mother and grandmother and of family life growing up in Thailand – core memories that inform his painting practice today.  

‘When I paint, when I create, there’s no mistake for me. I can fix it,’ Bundit says, drawing parallels between art making and his grandmother’s healing practice.   

For the Library’s exhibition Creative Acts, Bundit created the sprawling three-part painting อบเชย Obchey, 2025, which honours his family and is replete with references to their creativity and spirituality. 

‘I feel really proud to pass on the story to the people,’ Bundit says.  

View อบเชย Obchey, 2025, in Creative Acts until 31 May 2026.

About the series 

Monograph is a series of creative short-format documentary films that convey the humanity and passion surrounding the Library and its diverse activities. The series title refers to the singular focus of each film – a brief but deep dive into a person’s life, their work and their connection to the Library. 

Credits 

A film by Creative Studio, State Library Victoria 
Featuring: Bundit Puangthong 
Cinematographer: Sherwin Akbarzadeh, Christopher Miles 
Manager, Exhibitions and Experience Design: Michelle Moo 
Project Curator: Nandini Sathyamurthy 
Chief Digital Officer: Paula Bray 
Head of Creative Studio: Mike Daly 
Digital Content Lead: Yeoseop Yoon