Thailand has an image of being a gay friendly country, especially among foreigners. But the truth is that it's still far from being a gay paradise. Artist Supattanawadee Muanta found that being true to herself was not going to be easy; especially after her mother discovered that she was dating a girl in high school.
"My mother condemned it, saying that being lesbian was bad and I shouldn't be one. She said if I dated the girl, she would disown me. Though she never actually did that, her words traumatised me. I have questioned whether being gay was really bad," said the 28-year-old artist.
The hurt caused by her mother has fed into other areas of her life. Supattanawadee often feels uncomfortable and inferior when she meets new people.
"Some straight people teased me about the way I was and made jokes when they knew I had a girlfriend. They probably thought it was just a joke, but it hurt me. Some people look at me and treat me with hostility. I once applied for a job as an art tutor. The staff questioned whether I was right for the job. They were worried that I might be a bad role model for students. I've often felt barriers due to my sexuality," Supattanawadee said.
Facing such frustration for years, Supattanawadee eventually decided to reflect her difficulties in her art. This has culminated in her solo collection "Gender-Less", which is currently running at Ardel's Third Place Gallery in Thong Lor.
She created the first series of works while she was studying for a Masters in Fine Arts at Silpakorn University in 2018. She used lithography, which is a classic printing process.
"It was so difficult to pluck up the courage to reflect my life in my work. These were my true feelings being spoken through my art. For many people, my stories weren't normal," the artist said.
The first person she showed her work to was her university adviser and his positive response was a big relief.
'Gender-Less' is currently on show at Ardel's Third Place Gallery. (Photo by Varuth Hirunyatheb)
"After seeing my work, he told me that he wanted to hear more of my stories," she said.
The world of art has embraced her. Now, Supattanawadee is surrounded with people who accept her for who she is.
"As an LGBTI artist, I don't feel different to others. Making art is great. It allows me to release what I want to and to tell what I want to tell," she said.
"Gender-Less" is striking for its use of different techniques and distinctive stories. Her art has won awards locally and internationally. One piece in the collection, Gender-Bending No.4, recently came third at The Second International Print Biennale in Yerevan, Armenia. These successes have given Supattanawadee the confidence to continue working on more pieces under the same concept, but she has challenged herself by trying out other techniques -- digital print and cyanotype, a photographic printing process that generates a cyan print.
The "Gender-Less" exhibition currently on show at Ardel's features all three techniques -- lithography, digital print and cyanotype. Visitors can see the differences between the first and second series from the colours.
"I've continued to create new art because there are many more stories to tell. In the past, I looked at my life negatively, so my first six pieces were in dark tones. In the new set, I focused on cyanotype. The cyan and blue tones represent more relaxed emotions," the artist said.
Supattanawadee's art is full of symbolism. Both Gender–Bending No.1 and Gender–Bending No.6 feature magnolias, chest binding and back poses.
The first set uses dark tones and features symbols such as magnolias, chest binding and back poses. (Photos: Varuth Hirunyatheb)
"Magnolias look delicate, but are extremely tough. They can survive strong sun and heavy rain. I identify with magnolias in the sense of being patient and trying to cope with difficulties. The chest binding is something most tomboys do. In my collection, it represents compression and discomfort. The use of back poses is way to turn the observer into one of my works. It is like they're not standing there alone. I'm offering them support," Supattanawadee explained.
One of her cyanotype pieces, A Dialogue Between Me And The Butterfly was inspired by her discovery that butterflies can be gay.
"I wondered whether animals could be gay too, and discovered that some butterflies are gay. They have a small wing and big wing in different colours of the same size," she said.
Gender/Me/Mind No.5 is one of the few pieces that combine digital print and lithograph techniques. Its depiction of Supattanawadee in very short hair dressed in a wedding gown expresses her frustration over marriage rights in Thailand.
"I have been with my girlfriend for several years and I started thinking if something happens to me, she cannot be my legal heir. If one of us needs surgery, the other one can't give consent as a spouse. These are serious issues. In the picture, I wanted there to be a stark contrast, so I wore a wedding gown despite having very short hair," Supattanawadee explained.
Despite all the hard work that has gone into it, the artist doesn't expect too much from the exhibition.
"When I received awards, I was glad that there were people who understood what I was trying to communicate. I exhibit my work because I want people to think about LGBTI issues. But if visitors don't see the issues as problems, or don't understand my messages, it is fine," Supattanawadee concluded.
"Gender-Less" finishes tomorrow at Ardel's Third Place Gallery, Thong Lor 10. Admission is free. Visit Ardel's Facebook page or call 02-422-2092 for more information.
Gender/Me/Mind No.5 reflects the artist's frustrations over same-sex marriage. Supattanawadee Muanta
A Dialogue Between Me And The Butterfly.
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