Headache Stencil

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.[1] 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".[2]

Career

Headache's works first appeared on the streets of Bangkok and Chiang Mai in 2014.[1][3]

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.[2][4][5][6][7] 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.[8][9][10]

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.[11] 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.[12]

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".[13] This incident was covered by both domestic and foreign press as an example of COVID-19 related sinophobia and anti-Chinese racism.[14]

References
  1. Ellis-Petersen, Hannah (15 March 2019). "'Thai Banksy' tests boundaries with gallery show before election". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  2. Itthipongmaetee, Chayanit (18 January 2019). "DANGEROUS ART: FAME IS PERIL FOR ANONYMOUS ARTIST HEADACHE STENCIL". Khaosod English. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  3. "Art Talk – Headache Stencil artist and owner of 'Street of the Third World'". artwhorecult.com. 30 May 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  4. "Spray-can satire creates headache for junta". Bangkok Post. 24 September 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  5. Krausz, Tibor (5 May 2018). "Thai street artists send political messages against corruption and military rule with spray and stencils". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  6. "Thai street artists creating headache for junta". The Straits Times. 25 September 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  7. Phataranawik, Phatarawadee (1 July 2018). "Artist bares Thailand's dark underbelly". The Nation. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  8. "Sex, drugs and no easy way out". nationthailand. Apr 5, 2019.
  9. "Thai street artist Headache Stencil tackles sex, drugs in new Bangkok exhibit (Feature)". www.efe.com.
  10. Itthipongmaetee, Chayanit; Reporter, Staff (Mar 12, 2019). "'Thailand's Banksy' to Bring Sex, Drugs, Stencils to Patpong".
  11. "Graffiti artist stalked by police officers after revolution commemoration event". Prachatai English. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  12. "ACTIVISTS SAY COPS STALK THEM ON REVOLT ANNIVERSARY". Khaosod English. 25 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  13. "Headache on Twitter". Archived from the original on 2020-01-26.
  14. EHRLICH, RICHARD S (5 February 2020). "Racism rears its ugly head as Thailand deals with coronavirus". Asia Times. Retrieved 25 September 2020.


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