Amorn
thongpayong
is a leading contemporary Thai artist specializing in the rare and intricate art form of Mezzotint printmaking. Hailing from Chonburi, he currently lives and works in Chiang Mai and is the founder of the “Mezzpress studio” in Chiang Mai.
Amorn is renowned for his mastery of Mezzotint printmaking, a challenging intaglio technique invented in 1642 by German military officer Ludwig von Siegen. The term “Mezzotint” derives from the Italian words “mezzo” (half/reduced) and “tinta” (shade or tone/shadow). The technique involves roughening the entire surface of the plate using a “Rocker” to create a dark, uniformly rough texture, then gradually smoothing areas with “Scrapers” and “Burnishers” to achieve subtle transitions from dark to light tones.
His work expresses stories and captures feelings, often focusing on decay, dimness, and the passage of time. He attempts to make that which must fade, linger eternally. He uses architectural elements, such as the structure of houses, to represent the existence of life and historical narratives. The resulting manipulation of light and shadow creates an atmosphere of tranquility, nostalgia, isolation, and abandonment.
While maintaining the traditional methods of mezzotint, his approach has evolved to blend tradition with innovation, adapting to the faster-paced, technology-influenced modern lifestyle. He has also invented and modified tools for creating art using materials that are readily available in his surroundings

Education and Academic Career
Amorn Thongpayong received his Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Printmaking from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Chiang Mai University (2008 – 2013). He completed his Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Printmaking from Silpakorn University (2014 –2016). His M.F.A. thesis was titled “Home in the Past” (or “The Old House”). He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Fine Arts (D.F.A.) in Arts and Design at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Chiang Mai University (2018–2024), where he is also serving as a professor
B.F.A. (Printmaking) Faculty of Fine Arts, Chiang Mai University.
M.F.A. (Printmaking) Faculty of Painting Sculpture and Graphic arts, Silpakorn University.
D.F.A (Arts and Design) Faculty of Fine Arts, Chiang Mai University
Recent and Notable Projects
Amorn’s creative output has expanded beyond traditional single-print formats into large-scale installations.
• “ALONG THE WAY: A Journey of Time“ (2022–2023) was a solo exhibition and part of his doctoral thesis, “Capturing the Memory of Chiang Mai Architecture,” which utilized hundreds of prints assembled into an art installation resembling a retro wooden house. This series emphasizes the comparison of original structures, modified due to changing lifestyles, to their historical form.
• The exhibition “Transition“ (2022) focused on reflecting changing environments over nine defined time periods, using both realistic printmaking and incorporating modern media like Motion Graphics (Animation) and Street Art.
• A recent project moves beyond the Along the Way theme to critique urban development that prioritizes convenience and pushes nature out of daily life. This concept uses a printmaking installation consisting of 167 editions of etching prints (50 x 100 cm) installed across a 68-square-meter space
International Recognition and Upcoming Exhibitions
Amorn Thongpayong has achieved significant global recognition, exhibiting his work in numerous countries including India, the United States, Japan, Poland, Taiwan, France, China, and Italy.











