Maitree Siriboon(artist) &Tim Brightmore(Photographer)

"Isarn Boy Soi 4" is series of photographs that continues from a previous body of work developed in 2007-2008, titled 'Isarn Boy Dream'. In 'Isarn Boy Dream', I invited a number of my friends, who are foreigners living in Bangkok, to visit my home town, located in Isarn, a northeastern province of Thailand. I am always interested in the issues surrounding cultural identity and exploring how our cultural background informs and shapes the way we think. The 'Isarn boy' is how I describe myself. It is taken from the name of the province where I grew up. People from Isarn share many cultural similarities with the Laotian, since it is located at the border of Laos.

While questions of my self-identity is based on Isarn culture, I also recognise the part of me that is fluid and open to adaptation. Coming to Bangkok is analogous to opening myself to global influences. These are represented in images of mysely dying my hair blonde, symbolising the process of adaptation I undergo. In 'Isarn Boy Soi 4' I am taking my exploration of self identity to another level. Since moving to Bangkok in 1999, Silom's Soi 4 (Street number 4) is my favourite hangout area where I get to meet many friends from all over the world. I found in Soi 4, right in the heart of Bangkok, a place where two worlds meet. Many of the Thai boys who hang out in the area are from the Isarn province, hoping to meet a farang (white foreigner) companions who can take care of them. I am interested in how people from two completely different cultural background can relate to each other. These are the impetus for my 'Isarn Boy Soi 4' project.

I have collaborated with photographer Tim Brightmore who is able to capture my vision and idea with the camera lens. The backdrop for the photo shoot was set up in a studio. I call this the 'Red Heaven'