The Beach Art exhibition Hua Hin will run from 14–28 February 2026 at Artist Village Hua Hin, featuring works by Swiss artist Frederic Waelti, who has been living in Hua Hin for several years.
The exhibition brings together a body of work created from discarded materials and objects collected along the shoreline, including driftwood and other remnants shaped by the sea. Frederic’s pieces explore how materials often seen as worthless can be transformed into artworks with visual impact and meaning, while also encouraging reflection on coastal environments and human responsibility towards them.
Frederic’s connection to art began in his early twenties in Switzerland, where he was first introduced to the gallery world through a former partner working in the sector. Spending time around exhibitions, collectors, and major international events such as Art Basel, he developed a strong appreciation for art and classical music, becoming an engaged observer and collector rather than a practising artist at that stage.
Beach Art exhibition Hua Hin at Artist Village
It was only later, after moving to Phuket more than a decade ago, that he began creating art himself. Working from his garage, he set up a large table and started experimenting with materials found in his immediate surroundings. Drawn to wood from an early age, he began collecting driftwood and objects from the beach, gradually developing what he now refers to as “beach art”.
His creative process is deliberately intuitive. Objects collected from the shore are washed in salt water, dried in the sun, and then arranged and worked on without a fixed plan. Frederic has described the process as being guided by feeling, allowing the form and character of each object to influence the final result. Over time, this approach has evolved into a distinctive style shaped by more than a decade of experimentation.
Frederic has said that his work is not driven by commercial ambition. He does not see himself as an artist in the conventional sense and does not create with the aim of selling or achieving recognition. Instead, his focus is on the enjoyment of making and the gradual development of his work over time.
The Artist Village Hua Hin has played an important role in that journey. Frederic visits the village regularly, describing it as a source of inspiration and personal balance. While he spends time observing the work of other artists, he is careful not to imitate, maintaining a clear and individual approach to his own practice.
Beyond the physical artworks, Frederic places strong value on the sense of community within the artist village, highlighting conversation, listening, and human connection as central to creative life. His interest in communication and observation feeds into how he engages with both people and materials.
Inviting the public to attend the exhibition, Frederic said his work is intended to be accessible rather than exclusive, noting that it is designed to appeal to a wide range of tastes and perspectives.
The Beach Art exhibition will be open to the public from 14–28 February 2026 at the Artist Village Hua Hin Gallery. Entry is free of charge.
