Ponnapa Prakkamakul
Past to Present, 2024
Past to Present was produced and installed by Boston Public Art Triennial and Oxford Properties. The mural at 745 Atlantic Avenue inspired by the history and character of the Leather District.
The design of the mural was inspired by the history of the place and the contributions of the Leather District, past and present, while also looking toward the future. The graphic elements featured in the mural include marshland, waterfront, elevated train tracks, and historic building façades, together with elements symbolizing the programs inside the building, reflecting the significant character of the Leather District.
The artist collaged the scene into a panoramic view using multiple perspective points in order to create an imaginary landscape combining elements from the past, the present, and the future. The color palette is inspired by the blue gradient lighting of the 745 Atlantic Avenue building, together with earth tones drawn from the historic buildings in the neighborhood.
Past to Present is on view at 745 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA.
Ponnapa Prakkamakul
Ponnapa Prakkamakul (she | her) is a multidisciplinary artist and landscape architect based in Massachusetts. As a third-generation, ethnically Chinese born in Thailand, she relocated to Hong Kong then the United States. Inspired by her multinational background, Ponnapa’s work explores the relationship between humans and their environment, focusing on cultural displacement and sense of belonging. Using found materials foraged from landscapes and stories collected from local communities, Ponnapa aims to create place-specific artwork that truly represents their identity and cultivates a stronger sense of place.
Ponnapa holds a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture with honors from the Rhode Island School of Design where she received the Lowthorpe Fellowship Award upon graduation. She has been a guest lecturer on creative placekeeping, participatory design, and hybrid drawing at the University of New Mexico, Louisiana State University, University of Oregon, and Boston Architectural College. Currently, Ponnapa is a member at Kingston Gallery and a landscape architect at Sasaki.