French luxury giant Chanel is expanding its cultural footprint in Asia with a partnership that sees its Culture Fund supporting a local Thai artist in a bold multimedia commission.

The inaugural Chanel Gateway Commission at Dib Bangkok will showcase Nawin Nuthong’s work, a blend of gaming and Thai folklore. The exhibition, named Project 147, opens September 26, 2027, and will run until May 3, 2028, bridging traditional and digital art.

Yana Peel, president of arts, culture, and heritage at Chanel, highlights the potential of Southeast Asia. She states, ‘Thailand has the potential to increase visibility for its next generation of talent.’ Meanwhile, Dib Bangkok’s founder, Purat ‘Chang’ Osathanugrah, sees the commission as a milestone, saying, ‘Nawin’s world building draws on Thai folklore and history, letting each generation read them differently, exactly the curiosity our museum exists to support.’

Chanel’s broader cultural initiative involves collaborations with over 50 institutions across 15 countries, including the upcoming reveal of the third commission at Berlin’s Hamburger Bahnhof.

The commission represents a significant step towards integrating digital art with traditional cultural narratives, reflecting Chanel’s commitment to supporting emerging talent and innovative artistic expression.