Headache Stencil Explained

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.[1] [2]

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.[3] [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]

Notes and References

  1. News: 'Thai Banksy' tests boundaries with gallery show before election . Hannah . Ellis-Petersen . 15 March 2019 . The Guardian . 15 March 2019 .
  2. Web site: Art Talk – Headache Stencil artist and owner of 'Street of the Third World'. artwhorecult.com. 25 September 2018. 30 May 2016.
  3. News: Itthipongmaetee . Chayanit . DANGEROUS ART: FAME IS PERIL FOR ANONYMOUS ARTIST HEADACHE STENCIL . 28 June 2020 . Khaosod English . 18 January 2019.
  4. News: Spray-can satire creates headache for junta. Bangkok Post. 25 September 2018. 24 September 2018.
  5. News: Tibor. Krausz. Thai street artists send political messages against corruption and military rule with spray and stencils. South China Morning Post. 25 September 2018. 5 May 2018.
  6. News: Thai street artists creating headache for junta. The Straits Times. 25 September 2018. 25 September 2018.
  7. News: Phatarawadee. Phataranawik. Artist bares Thailand's dark underbelly. The Nation. 25 September 2018. 1 July 2018.
  8. Web site: Sex, drugs and no easy way out. Apr 5, 2019. nationthailand.
  9. Web site: Thai street artist Headache Stencil tackles sex, drugs in new Bangkok exhibit (Feature). www.efe.com.
  10. Web site: 'Thailand's Banksy' to Bring Sex, Drugs, Stencils to Patpong. Chayanit. Itthipongmaetee. Staff. Reporter. Mar 12, 2019.
  11. News: Graffiti artist stalked by police officers after revolution commemoration event . 28 June 2020 . Prachatai English . 26 June 2020.
  12. News: ACTIVISTS SAY COPS STALK THEM ON REVOLT ANNIVERSARY . 28 June 2020 . Khaosod English . 25 June 2020.
  13. Web site: Headache on Twitter . https://web.archive.org/web/20200126021027/https://twitter.com/headachestencil/status/1221204484119912448. 2020-01-26.
  14. Web site: Racism rears its ugly head as Thailand deals with coronavirus . EHRLICH . RICHARD S . Asia Times . 5 February 2020 . 25 September 2020.

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