ABOUT TAN SIRINUMAS

Tan Sirinumas, originally from Thailand, is an artist residing in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood. His work is an exploration of beauty in environments where beauty is often overlooked. Tan's artistic journey began with architecture-inspired paper collage designs and evolved into painting, ceramics, and printmaking at the Hospitality House Community Arts Studio.

​

One of Tan's most unique mediums combines modeling compound mixture on wood panels, layered with contrasting acrylic paints and sanded to a marble-like smoothness. This foundation sets a stage for his distinctive process where he carves out surface levels of paint to reveal hidden layers of color, a metaphor for uncovering the overlooked beauty of the Tenderloin.

 

Each piece is a labor of love, with Tan repeatedly hand-painting and carving to create a rich tapestry of details, inviting the viewer to explore every inch of the artwork.

Tan's commitment to his community is evident in his role as an artist, collaborator, and educator with the Hospitality House Community Arts Program. Over the past seven years, he has used his art as a tool for empowerment, helping to instill strength and self-expression in low-income artists.

​

As Tan continues to push the boundaries of his art, his work remains a testament to the beauty of imperfection and the power of art to transform communities.