Nitanitar

This project was developed during my 14-day state quarantine in the hotel, after spending time as an artist-in-residence in Germany. While living in Germany, I have expanded my perspective by surrounding myself in different cultures and new environment. And I’ve allowed myself to express more about democracy, which is why “Freedom of expression” became my inspiration for this project. The topic is about the enforced disappearance of Thai dissidents. 

Many Thai activists who were self-exiled in neighbouring countries ended up victims of enforced disappearance. A forced disappearance occurs from time to time, but a formal investigation never progressed. Referring to the UN working group on enforced or involuntary disappearances, there’s a record of 86 cases of enforced disappearance in Thailand, and no Thai law is dedicated for this matter. 

It started out with drawing portrait of Thai dissidents, who were victims of enforced disappearance, and have yet to be found until now. Using a combination of techniques to create portraiture artworks. Their portraits were freely drawn by using contouring drawing technique. The line without constraint depicts outspoken expression and speech, then produced further using printmaking technique. 

Art Performance at Nachbarschaftszentrum Volkssolidarität Berlin / Germany on 12 July 2024 

In public space, I demonstrated the contour drawing process, engaging with my surroundings and existing objects in the public space. A mirror became a significant medium, linking me to my subject. The portraits of Thai dissidents were seen through the reflection in the mirror, symbolizing self-reflection and identity recognition. Combined with contour drawing, this method created a powerful expression of the ongoing issue of enforced disappearances.