Artist bares Thailand’s dark underbelly

By PHATARAWADEE PHATARANAWIK 
THE SUNDAY NATION

 

 

THE PORTRAIT of Prayut Chan-o-cha on the cover of Time magazine was yesterday erased and sprayed with the word “Not for Sale” by a young Thai graffiti artist going by the moniker Headache Stencil.

 

The young Thai artist addressed the dark side of Thailand four years after the 2014 coup d’etat in his solo debut, “Welcome to the Dark Side”, which opened yesterday at Voice Space located in the Voice TV compound on Vibhavadhi Rangsit Road.

 

Headache Stencil is known for his street graffiti mocking Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan over his collection of luxury wristwatches. Headache Stencil earned harassment headaches from the junta and his creation was scrubbed away.

 

“My art reflects dictatorship, corruption and the loss of freedom in our society,” Headache Stencil told The Sunday Nation. 

“It’s the artist’s most important role to mirror society’s illnesses and tell the world what Thailand is now facing under military junta rulers.”

 

His graffiti art is displayed in the 120-square-metre maze, greeted by a mascot depicting a primer portrait in the |shape of Japanese maneki-neko cat.

 

Walking into the maze, audiences face the multiple complex socio-political issues the nation faces. 

 

A submarine ordered from China by the junta is portrayed on one wall, while another depicts alarm clocks with a portrait of Prawit and his luxury wristwatches.

 

Allegedly corrupt Buddhist monks are on another corner, and nearby are crossed fingers with the words, “Please give priority to children, ladies   and dictatorship”.

 

The artist has named the Kingdom under military rule as “Kala Land” or “the land under the coconut shell”. 

 

It’s symbolised by a photo of a coconut shell overlaid with a gun near a couple of doves – the symbol of peace.

 

At the end of the labyrinth, the artist has installed a ballot box with the word “Freedom” surrounded by soldiers in boots with no-entry tapes.

 

“Thailand is now like a maze. We’re finding the way out of this political maze,” he added. “An elected democracy is the only way to take us out of this maze.”

 

Dozens of his fans flocked to the show, which runs through July 6, as they oppose censorship. They take selfies with his artwork and post them on social media. 

 

“I hope they will help spread the word on the socio-political situation in Thailand throughout the world,” said the artist.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30349018

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-07-01

I am jealous.

 

I would LOVE to be known as Headache Stencil.

 

"My name is Stencil, Headache Stencil."

 

Art as protest, and popular with the young despite the dangers incurred. A brave young man.

26 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

At the end of the labyrinth, the artist has installed a ballot box with the word “Freedom” surrounded by soldiers in boots with no-entry tapes.

I wonder why he chose English instead of his native language?

43 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

They take selfies

No kidding?

2 hours ago, HLover said:

I wonder why he chose English instead of his native language?

IMO, the junta only fears the outside world.  They fear tourists choosing not to come to Thailand.  They fear foreign media, as they have no control over them.  They only understand fear and intimidation, not decency or fairness. 

 

He is right.  Thailand is a maze that needs to be navigated.  To help find your way out, avoid Tuk Tuk drivers and officialdom.  Thailand needs more people like him

Edited July 1, 20188 yr by yellowboat

3 hours ago, HLover said:

I wonder why he chose English instead of his native language?

He wanted to use a minority language rather than the international language of Siam!!!

Bravo

4 hours ago, HLover said:

I wonder why he chose English instead of his native language?

Because he's educated. 

"Artist Bares Thailand's Dark Underbelly" has got to be one of the oddest headlines, the idiom is soft underbelly. 

 

Maybe The Nation is now going to do a piece about Thailand's soft underworld

So even at red shirt central, at Voice TV, he could only get “dozens” of fans ? Don’t all those rice farmers appreciate art ?

3 hours ago, yellowboat said:

IMO, the junta only fears the outside world.  They fear tourists choosing not to come to Thailand.  They fear foreign media, as they have no control over them.  They only understand fear and intimidation, not decency or fairness. 

 

He is right.  Thailand is a maze that needs to be navigated.  To help find your way out, avoid Tuk Tuk drivers and officialdom.  Thailand needs more people like him

Oh please.

Tourist numbers increase year on year.

Still one of THE most popular destinations for expats to relocate to.

Relatively cheap cost of living.

Easily as safe as most western countries. 

Avoid tuk tuk drivers...are you seriously for real

How about avoid drunken white skin headed tattooed european holidaymakers who pose a much much greater risk ro public safety.

In both instances the statistics of being harmed by either group are infinitesimally small...unless you are a new fogie as they are afraid of their own shadow and hate anything thai.

Sad really

Edited July 1, 20188 yr by Expatthailover

Also a stunning picture standing on the left. 

Any of his artworks for sale? I bet they'll sell for 100x after the next coup.

Rene Magritte might have sent this for the collection.

7 hours ago, HLover said:

I wonder why he chose English instead of his native language?

 

Good point, maybe hoping English would get more international exposure.

 

On the other hand IMHO the vast majority of Thais know their society has problems but they don't know how to clearly define/ separate each problem area, and until they do the level of local protest will remain low. So this sort of work should also be in Thai language.

 

Or both languages. 

 

 

8 hours ago, HLover said:

I wonder why he chose English instead of his native language?

probably to reach a wider audience via social media...

8 hours ago, HLover said:

I wonder why he chose English instead of his native language?

Talking to his only fans that are all farangs, as we know, every single Thai just adores their friendly D...eeeemooocraatttt.

7 hours ago, Jeremy50 said:

Because he's educated. 

 

7 hours ago, Jeremy50 said:

Because he's educated. 

 

He wan evyone know he sapeak Engrish die.

15 hours ago, Expatthailover said:

Oh please.

Tourist numbers increase year on year.

Still one of THE most popular destinations for expats to relocate to.

Relatively cheap cost of living.

Easily as safe as most western countries. 

Avoid tuk tuk drivers...are you seriously for real

How about avoid drunken white skin headed tattooed european holidaymakers who pose a much much greater risk ro public safety.

In both instances the statistics of being harmed by either group are infinitesimally small...unless you are a new fogie as they are afraid of their own shadow and hate anything thai.

Sad really

That's a most unusual style of post from you.

I hope today is a bit more upbeat for you. 

 

I know some very nice tattooed shin head people from Europe,

they come here every year and spent thousands of pounds.  of there hard earned money on the Thai economy,  but I must admit they are not all white skinned !!!!!!! 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 1, 20188 yr by stanleycoin

22 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Artist bares Thailand’s dark underbelly

Nothing that a litle whitening cream couldn't fix 

 

solly I could not resist

Edited July 1, 20188 yr by sirineou

Whoa... an opinion..