Exhibition : No Tiger on the Mountain
Artists ⎮ Rattakhat Puksuk
No Tiger on the Mountain
In the renowned manga and manhwa series, which follows a guardian of justice, there is a compelling chapter about a mountain deity who embodies the spirit of the local people. The story follows a man who spent his whole life looking for this god, named Sanshin, to help him through a hard time. Instead of a human-like god, he found a talking tiger that came to rescue him. The main character then said, "Maybe the mountain spirit has already answered you."
Historically, the mountain god known as “Sanshin” is a prominent figure in East Asian animism, where the belief in nature spirits blends with Buddhist and Taoist philosophies. In Korean tradition, Sanshin is often depicted alongside a tiger, but the tiger is not merely a pet of the deity, but rather an avatar or a physical form of the god itself.
Southeast Asian cultures, such as Thailand, use the tiger as a powerful symbol in their stories and traditions. For example, the legend of the "Suea Saming" — a tiger capable of transforming into a human — as well as in the tradition of "Sak Yant", where tiger motifs are etched onto the skin as a symbol of protection and strength. Furthermore, tiger worship is seen in Chinese - influenced shrines across the region.
The tiger is more than just a spiritual symbol; it is also used as a metaphor for power and governance. In politics, it represents the raw authority to rule. This is seen in historical metaphors for economic and political prowess, like Thailand's status as the 'Fifth Asian Tiger,' and in idioms regarding the risks of leadership, such as 'riding the tiger'.
The concept of the "tiger" thus carries a profound meaning in the human psyche. We use animals as metaphors for many things, and the tiger stands as a symbol for the mountain. It represents the collective spirit of a people—a majestic, composed power that emerges to stand beside humanity in times of need.
📅 Exhibition Date ⎮ May 2–29, 2026
📍 Venue ⎮ 6060 Arts Space (Black Building)
🕛 Opening Hours ⎮ 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Closed on Sundays)
information provided by event organizer
