Headache Stencil
{{Short description|Thai graffiti artist and activist}}
Headache Stencil is a pseudonymous Thai street artist. Dubbed Thailand's version of the British graffiti artist Banksy, Headache Stencil is known for his satirical graffiti art depicting the military officials of Thailand who took power in 2014. He says of himself, "I started calling myself Headache Stencil because I knew what I did is going to cause people headaches. I've been a troublemaker since I was a kid".
Career
Headache's works first appeared on the streets of Bangkok and Chiang Mai in 2014.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/15/thai-banksy-headache-stencil-tests-boundaries-gallery-show-election |title='Thai Banksy' tests boundaries with gallery show before election |first=Hannah |last=Ellis-Petersen |date= 15 March 2019 |work=The Guardian |access-date=15 March 2019 }}{{cite web|title=Art Talk – Headache Stencil artist and owner of 'Street of the Third World'|url=http://artwhorecult.com/art-talk-headache-stencil-artist-and-owner-of-street-of-the-third-world/|website=artwhorecult.com|access-date=25 September 2018|date=30 May 2016}}
He became more widely known in January 2018 with his graffiti of the Thai Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan's face inside an alarm clock.{{cite news |last1=Itthipongmaetee |first1=Chayanit |title=DANGEROUS ART: FAME IS PERIL FOR ANONYMOUS ARTIST HEADACHE STENCIL |url=https://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2019/01/18/dangerous-art-fame-is-peril-for-anonymous-artist-headache-stencil/ |access-date=28 June 2020 |work=Khaosod English |date=18 January 2019}}{{cite news|title=Spray-can satire creates headache for junta|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1545722/spray-can-satire-creates-headache-for-junta|work=Bangkok Post|access-date=25 September 2018|date=24 September 2018}}{{cite news|first=Tibor|last=Krausz|title=Thai street artists send political messages against corruption and military rule with spray and stencils|url=https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2144526/thai-street-artists-send-political-messages-against|work=South China Morning Post|access-date=25 September 2018|date=5 May 2018}}{{cite news|title=Thai street artists creating headache for junta|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/thai-street-artists-creating-headache-for-junta|work=The Straits Times|access-date=25 September 2018|date=25 September 2018}}{{cite news|first=Phatarawadee|last=Phataranawik|title=Artist bares Thailand's dark underbelly|url=https://www.nationthailand.com/detail/art/30349018|work=The Nation|access-date=25 September 2018|date=1 July 2018}} In April 2019 he had his first social critique exhibition “Sex Drugs and Headache Stencil” at the Patpong Museum's Candle Light Studio in Bangkok's infamous redlight district. The show focused on sex workers living reality.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/30367223|title=Sex, drugs and no easy way out|date=Apr 5, 2019|website=nationthailand}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.efe.com/efe/english/eventos/thai-street-artist-headache-stencil-tackles-sex-drugs-in-new-bangkok-exhibit-feature/50000272-3940020|title=Thai street artist Headache Stencil tackles sex, drugs in new Bangkok exhibit (Feature)|website=www.efe.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2019/03/12/thailands-banksy-to-bring-sex-drugs-stencils-to-patpong/|title='Thailand's Banksy' to Bring Sex, Drugs, Stencils to Patpong|first1=Chayanit|last1=Itthipongmaetee|first2=Staff|last2=Reporter|date=Mar 12, 2019}}
To commemorate the 88th anniversary of the 1932 Siamese Revolution, on 24 June 2020, Headache Stencil and some fellow activists projected images of 1932 revolt leader Pridi Banomyong onto a wall of Wat Ratchanadda, a Buddhist temple.{{cite news |title=Graffiti artist stalked by police officers after revolution commemoration event |url=https://prachatai.com/english/node/8614 |access-date=28 June 2020 |work=Prachatai English |date=26 June 2020}} Also shown was the proclamation that announced the end of absolute monarchy. Thai authorities now regard the commemoration of the democratic revolt to be a crime.{{cite news |title=ACTIVISTS SAY COPS STALK THEM ON REVOLT ANNIVERSARY |url=https://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2020/06/25/activists-say-cops-stalk-them-on-revolt-anniversary/ |access-date=28 June 2020 |work=Khaosod English |date=25 June 2020}}
Controversy
On 26 January 2020, Headache Stencil came under controversy for his statements on Twitter targeting Chinese people, which read "Hey Chink! Please go back to ur shit-eating country. Our government need ur money to keep their power but you all not welcome for us now. #notwelcometothailand #backtourchinklandpls".{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/headachestencil/status/1221204484119912448 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126021027/https://twitter.com/headachestencil/status/1221204484119912448|archive-date=2020-01-26|title=Headache on Twitter }} This incident was covered by both domestic and foreign press as an example of COVID-19 related sinophobia and anti-Chinese racism.{{cite web |title=Racism rears its ugly head as Thailand deals with coronavirus |last1=EHRLICH |first1=RICHARD S |url=https://asiatimes.com/2020/02/anti-china-racism-rears-its-ugly-head-in-thailand/ |website=Asia Times |date=5 February 2020 |access-date=25 September 2020}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{facebook|headachestencil|Headache Stencil}}
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Category:21st-century Thai artists
Category:Thai political satire
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
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