Koh Samui is primarily known as a tourist island and the commercial paraphernalia that results has long taken centre stage in the main centres like Chaweng and Lamai. Copy products, mass-produced trinkets and factory made fabrics lure the tourists to part with their holiday cash as they browse in search of gifts and souveniers. But tastes are definitely changing.

Louise Soloway captures the essence of everyday life through the people who come together in her tableaux-like base-reliefs and art. Influenced by Indian and Chinese art forms she continues to do extraordinary work. Her intricately painted life-size body castes and heads are a fine example of the inspiration she has had from Chinese decorative motifs.

Zhuang is seen as the father of the Contemporary Chinese Glass Sculpture scene and without a doubt the most influential glass artist in China today. Zhuang learnt his craft in Wolverhampton University in the UK and brought his skills to students in Shanghai introducing abstract pieces made from kiln-cast glass, which was very different from the traditional Chinese glass of decorative vases and bowls.