The agreement formalizes a shared commitment to collaborate on exchanges and expertise, and the display and study of Thai art
(New York, April 25, 2024)—Today, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Kingdom of Thailand signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizing a shared commitment to collaborate on exchanges of art, expertise, and the display and study of Thai art. The MOU was signed by Phnombootra Chandrajoti, Director General, Fine Arts Department, the Kingdom of Thailand, and Max Hollein, The Met’s Director and CEO, on behalf of the Kingdom of Thailand and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, respectively. The signing ceremony was attended by Somjai Taphaopong, Consul General of Thailand in New York, and Nitaya Kanokmongkol, Executive Director of Office of National Museums, Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture, Thailand.
At the ceremony, two sculptures, whose return to Thailand were previously announced in December 2023, were on display. The works of art being repatriated—Kneeling Female Figure and Standing Shiva—were made in the 11th century in the Angkorian period.
Max Hollein, The Met’s Marina Kellen French Director and CEO, said: “The Met is honored to welcome esteemed colleagues representing Thailand to the Museum today. This agreement reaffirms our commitment to furthering the world’s understanding and appreciation of Thai art and culture. We value our open and ongoing dialogue with the Kingdom of Thailand, and look forward to future collaborations.”
Somjai Taphaopong, Consul General of Thailand in New York, said: “The collaboration between The Met and the Fine Arts Department of Thailand reflects the close ties between Thailand and the U.S., particularly at the level of people-to-people and institute-to-institute contacts, which help strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries and the benefit of mankind.”
The Met recently announced a suite of initiatives related to cultural property and the Museum’s collecting practices that includes undertaking a focused review of works in the collection; hiring provenance researchers to join the many researchers and curators already doing this work at the Museum; further engaging staff and trustees; and using The Met’s platform to support and contribute to public discourse on this topic. More information is available on The Met website.
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April 25, 2024
Contact: Ann Bailis
Communications@metmuseum.org
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