“On June 15, Thai soldiers forced their way into two Bangkok galleries that were hosting exhibitions by two young Thai contemporary artists whose works reflect on their homeland’s political landscape. The military took down three collages by photographer Harit Srikhao that were part of the “Whitewash” exhibition at Gallery Ver. Next door in Cartel Artspace, Tada Hengsapkul, who was listed as one of Forbes Asia’s “30 Under 30” figures in 2016, faced the same harassment, though none of his works in “The Shards Would Shatter at Touch” were removed.
In Harit’s censored exhibition, the artist introduced personal and collective memories of the violent military crackdown against Redshirt protesters in 2010, in which more than 90 people were killed. In Harit’s absence, and lacking consent by the owner of Gallery Ver, the Thai army removed artworks without providing justification.
“I’m not sure what the reasons were,” but what happened “was not beyond expectation,” Harit told Thai media outlet Khaosod. …”
Read the complete report on ArtAsiaPacific.
