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Gem’s path to becoming a professional artist started in Hanoi during her assignment in the Asian Development Bank’s Viet Nam Resident Mission. She studied lacquer painting under Mrs. Le Kim My at the Hanoi School of Fine Art. Later, she studied privately with Mrs. Nguyen Thu Nguyet, a student of the renowned lacquer artists Mr. Trinh Tuan and Mrs. Cong Kim Hoa. Gem had two major art exhibitions in Hanoi: “The Lure of Lacquer” at the Viet Art Centre (7-12 April 2007) and “Inspirations of Vietnam” at the National Museum of Vietnamese Women (18-31 May 2007). Her work was featured in a local newspaper, and two Hanoi-based magazines interviewed Gem about her art and her exhibitions.
Her lacquer painting work and links to news and interviews can be viewed at http://sites.google.com/site/kanoklacquer/
Gem has developed a distinctive style inspired by Lanna Thai art motifs, impressionism, and surrealism. Her paintings communicate a philosophy of everyday life that entails constant change, nostalgia, conflict, disappointment and contentment, and a hopeful future.
Over many years living outside of Thailand in which she has traveled extensively, Gem has come to appreciate and be influenced by the diverse forms and styles of art she finds around the world. Gem's paintings, however, reflect her roots in the use of themes and motifs from her Lanna cultural heritage.