Memory and Pride through Photographic Collage Arts: The Art Within - Collage Me Proud

Abstract

This article presents The Art Within - Collage Me Proud, an inclusive art initiative in Thailand involving undergraduate art students and persons with Down syndrome. Originating from photographic documentation of traditional Thai performance, the project developed into a participatory collage-making process that encouraged self-expression, co-creation, and shared memory. Through visual storytelling, participants selected meaningful photographs and transformed them into personal artworks with support from students and parents. Findings reveal consistently positive outcomes: participants reported pride, joy, and confidence; caregivers observed improved social interaction and wellbeing; and students demonstrated enhanced empathy, communication, and critical awareness of art’s role in society. Data were collected through evaluation forms, reflective interviews, and visual documentation. The project demonstrates how art operates not only as aesthetic production but also as dialogical and participatory practice. Situated in a Thai cultural context, it contributes to broader discussions on socially engaged art, inclusive education, and cultural sustainability in Southeast Asia.