Raj Bunnag is a Thai-American artist based in Durham, North Carolina, whose practice centers on large-scale relief printmaking. He earned his BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in 2012 and his MFA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2022. Bunnag is widely recognized for his "Out of the Weeds" series, specifically the monumental "March of the Druggernaughts," which has been exhibited both nationally and internationally to critical acclaim. A Speedball Art Products demo artist, his work has been featured in publications such as Hi-Fructose and on platforms like Hello, Print Friend and WUNC.
Defined by a "horror vacui" approach—leaving no space untouched—Bunnag’s work utilizes a maximalist aesthetic to confront contemporary social crises and systemic failures. His intricate linoleum cuts weave together psychedelic imagery, historical iconography, and biting satire to create dense visual narratives. By pushing the physical limits of the relief medium through immense labor and precision, he mirrors the chaotic and overwhelming nature of the political landscapes he investigates, from the devastating domestic and global impacts of the American War on Drugs to the complex realities of his own Thai-American heritage.
Bunnag’s current research delves into the systemic racism and white supremacy inherent in the foundations of American institutions and policies. His latest work examines the reemergence of American fascism and the resurrection of Jim Crow-era ideologies, exploring the dangers of collective white rage and fear. Through meticulous carving and bold storytelling, Bunnag elevates the relief print from a graphic medium to a vital site of intense cultural interrogation and historical reckoning.
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