A revolution remembered
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Young artist Chumpol Kamwanna is marking the 82nd anniversary of the Siamese Revolution tomorrow evening with the opening of his show "3P: People: Politics: Power" in Bangkok.
The gallery’s walls will be covered with 82 portraits of key politicians and junta leaders, ranging from General Prayuth Chan-ocha, former prime ministers Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister Yingluck former opposition party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of this year’s anti-government protests. Other figure includespolitical activist and artist Vasan Sitthiket.
Chumpol spent more than a year creating this collection, which records the country’s political history since the 1932 coup. However, rather than creating realistic portraits, the artist has painted the images with quick and thick brushstrokes, with the distorted style aiming to reflect an “illness” in the Kingdom’s political scene.
The Siamese Revolution took place on June 24, 1932 and marked a change from almost 700 years of absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy.
The Revolution was a product of global historical change as well as social and political change domestically. It also resulted in the Thai people being granted their first Constitution.
More than eight decades later, Thailand is once again under control of the military. Prayuth announced the latest coup – the 19th in 82 years – on May 22.
Vasan, who once headed his own political party, the Artist Party, willconduct a poetry reading on opening night at 9. This will be followed by a talk with politicians, activists and artists.
TOUGH TALK
- “3P: People: Politics: Power” opens at 6.30pm tomorrow at Rebel Art Space on Sukhumvit Soi 67 and runs until July 31.
- The gallery is open by acalling (087) 112 7774 only.
