Drawing on his Australian-Thai heritage, Nathan Beard deconstructs characterisations of ‘Thainess’ to consider the complex influences of culture, memory and biography on the shaping and structuring of diasporic identity. A Puzzlement presents an ambitious new body of work - including sculpture, video, and prints - influenced by the artist’s research into Thai artefacts, imagery and orchids from archives of The British Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, British Film Institute, and Kew Gardens. Motivated by an interest in the role and legacy of colonial archives in historically informing and shaping Western visions of Thainess, in this new body of work Beard continues his enquiry into the production of hierarchies and signifiers of taste across cultures and time, focusing our attention on the plasticity of cultural forms, experiences and expressions. Nathan Beard: A Puzzlement and associated artist residency, are supported by 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art and Create NSW Arts & Cultural Funding Program and is presented in partnership with Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts through the Western Australian Government through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries; and PICA as Art Commissioners. Nathan Beard, King Mongkut (1956), 2022, dibond mounted Giclée print on Hahnemühle Fine Art Pearl, Swarovski Elements each named using the antiquated term Siam, Avery 3002 Blockout Vinyl Matt Laminate Thai Sapphire Little Greene paint produced in partnership with the National Trust as one of their official ‘Colours of England’. Courtesy the artist and sweet pea, Perth.