Chanakarn Semachai

Chanakarn Semachai (Punch), was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand. Chanakarn graduated in 2012 with her Bachelor in Fine and Applied Art Degree from Chulalongkorn University located in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. In 2019 she earned an MFA degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, USA.
Punch started off as a sculptor and then began exploring functional wares that discuss similar ideas and designs as her sculptural surfaces. She combines a multitude of unique and exciting design elements
on both her sculptures and functional vessels, creating a cohesive body of work.

She has shown her work internationally, both in Thailand, Taiwan and in the United States. Her work was published in Ceramics Monthly’s 2018 September Issue. She was awarded a first place through the Jensen Art center’s 6th Annual Cup Show. She won The Juror Choice’s Award through Companion Gallery. Punch was included on C File’s Holiday pop-up sale in 2017. At NCECA 2019, She won NCECA Graduate Award of Excellence 3rd place at NCECA Juried Student show.

Recently, she curated “Hopefully Tomorrow” an exhibition focusing on BIPOC artists working with clay for Brockway Center of Art and Technology, PA. Chanakarn is a part of The Ceramics Congress Team and responds in organizing The Virtual Makers Market for The Ceramics Congress Conference.
Currently, she has a career as a full-time ceramic faculty at Chulalongkorn University in Bankok, Thailand.

In 2022 she was named one of Ceramics Monthly’s Emerging Artist as well as receiving NCECA’s Emerging Artist Fellowship.