Exhibition of diversity “Chat Sapatsondhi” inquires into the acceptance of LGBTQ identities at the Bangkok Art Gallery.

Thailand can be called a paradise. LGBTQ and is often seen as a country that is open to people of the same sex...but in reality, there are still many countries in the world where homosexuality is illegal. and violent to the point of death. 2 It is therefore a reflection of the inquiry into the situation of sexual diversity that...in reality Is the world ready to embrace the identities of people with diverse genders?

“...If we succeed in pushing for gender diversity, LGBT news will disappear to the point where it's almost impossible to read. Journalists do not need to come to the interview. LGBT people don't have to come out and fight. Because everyone is equal. Everyone is the same person..."

One of the words from an interview of Khun Kittinan Thomathat, President of the Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand reflects the truth in this matter very well. and make the exhibition Sapatasondhi 2 Question: Diversity in Southeast Asia. (SPECTROSYNTHESIS II Exposure of Tolerance: LGBTQ in Southeast Asia)Has served to tell the story of the conflict between the genders of each person in each age group. LGBTQ experiences faced through presentations from 58 artists from across Southeast Asia, including China and India

Saptasondhi Discussion Derived from Balinese-Sanskrit language. By the word 'Sapta' that means seven and the word 'Sondhi'  that means connect. The word seven here is a reference to the rainbow symbol that has seven colors. which is a symbol representing the sexual diversity of the LGBTQ group and is the origin of the name of this exhibition in Thai

Exhibition Saptasonthi discussion 2 Want to convey the life of LGBTQ people, overcoming society's prejudices. and opens the door to acceptance of families with different beliefs in each country. or readiness to receive traditions including cultures that have existed since the past Reflected through art designed by many artists. In this article, we will present only some examples that convey the meaning of the exhibition.

This exhibition presents works of art. that has violent content and the use of sexual, social, and political symbols. Please use your discretion when viewing. And in introducing it to children and youth

Potrait of Man in Habit

one of the works that makes Thai people think and debate further, which has appeared in the eyes of the people through various media. After the opening of the exhibition were the photographic works of Michael. Shaowanasai (Michael Shaowanasai), a 55-year-old Thai artist who took a photo of himself dressed to imitate a monk, wearing makeup and lipstick. In his hand he held a cloth that could be understood to be a reception cloth with a cute pattern. With the name of the work being Potrait of Man in Habit #1 (2546)

“...as I am both a Buddhist. and biologically homosexual men I believe we have the right to question. and should be asked to question the questions we are commanded to answer Because it is this right that makes us different from other beasts..."

The images reflected may sting the hearts of many Buddhists. After its first publication, it caused negative criticism from monks and conservative groups. And there were calls for the removal of this image and even for the image to be destroyed. However, Michael could only roll up the images of his own work and keep them. and produce new images

A picture of a man wearing a freshly worn orange-yellow robe. It was named Potrait of Man in Habit #2 (2003) to convey the original meaning that was wanted to be conveyed with similar photographs the first time.

5 Moments and self-revelation of 'Xiyadi'

This series of works belongs to a 56-year-old Chinese artist. 'Xi Ya Di' has conveyed stories in various periods. of one's own life through 5 paintings

starting with Door (Sewing Theme) (2017) that express the painful moments of being attacked both physically and mentally. Until the idea arises that he wants to destroy his own genitals to escape from suffering.

Next, the images are named Door (Inside Outside) (2560)  and Door (Action Indoors) (2558)  are images that reflect the hiding of one's true identity. due to being forced to marry the opposite sex Xi Ya Di had to live a life of hiding homosexuality.

Train (2017) and Joy (2015) represents the discovery of one's own identity. and the acceptance of love in same-sex relationships And it is considered to be the release of the artist's true identity.

From this work of Xi Ya Di It is consistent with the study of Phakphum. Decha Ananwong (2012) story Self-acceptance of sexual orientation for gay men who have analyzed the experience of accepting gayness through 6 processes, namely

1. Beginning to experience their own gay sexual orientation. At this stage, confusion will begin. Because there is no understanding of being gay. and tries to deny that he is gay, as shown in the picture  Sewing Theme, where Xi Ya Di suffers from his gender.
2. Moving towards the clarity of his own gayness is the step of having to face the implications of being gay, as shown in the pictures Inside Outside and Action Indoors, where Xi Ya Di has to get married and clearly states that he does not like women. Unable to live life like her husband Wives can join women
3. accepting their own sexual identity Upon having more gay-related experiences, there will be acceptance. and understand oneself, as shown in the picture of Train, where Xi Ya Di accepted her gender. Journey into the world of gay men
4. Revealing gay sexual identity.When you accept yourself, you begin to want your family, society, and friends to accept your gayness. and began to reveal
5. the lifestyle of gay menin Xi Ya Di's view, reflecting on living life through the image of Joy, because when the surrounding society accepts Xi Ya Di was able to live happily as a gay man. No longer having to endure concealment or living in the shadows
6. The emergence of the integration of personality  is now Xi Ya Di who has become an artist who can express art to reflect her identity. Because gays who live openly will Feel comfortable being yourself Discover your true desires, be happy, be proud of being gay. and not trying to be anything other than the real one.

Welcome To My World, ‘Tee’

Another work that is considered to show the disclosure of personal experiences is the work called Welcome To My World, ‘Tee’ (2019) which is the work of Arin. Rungjang, a 44-year-old Thai artist, and a video of a transgender woman he knows as “Tee.”

Video art broadcast on five large screens in a pitch-black room. It is a story that Mr. Arin wanted to convey about turning his own life into the path of an artist with a true friend. and fight for equal rights to express one's identity within the group LGBTQ affected psychologically by suicide. “Tee” A person respected in the artist's youth.

animation of 'Katoey' that is expressed as body art. It presents stories about ideals, gender, and the body. It shows the social gap that separates people based on their apparent gender. Even though the face and body are female But the genitals that appear to be male convey many meanings. like for visitors

Horizon

Kitti Narod 43-year-old Thai artist who creates images that often express positivity. But this work is a reminder for us to understand the value of small happiness. This is the final image of this article.

“...His work is like a meeting point for various people. that everyone is equal both physically and spiritually...”

This achieves the goal of the exhibition which is to convey equality. Equality of people of all genders of all ages living happily together under the same horizon, as in the name of the picture “Horizon” (2562)

when talking about gender diversity. Many people will understand that it is a group of people who have same-sex preferences, such as gays, bisexuals, lesbians, etc. But in reality, males and females are considered to be in sexual diversity as well

because everyone is human. That is, people of different genders can be called males and females, which are one of the many genders. or in sexual diversity

exhibition Sabtasondhi conversation 2 is part of a rotating traveling exhibition. The first event was held by the Sunpride Foundation at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Taipei, Taiwan in 2017, and is the second in Thailand, which is considered to raise awareness of gender equality. Invites you to understand the story from many perspectives through art that is reflected in various forms. of a total of 58 artists

Those interested can visit the Bangkok Art and Culture Center, 7th and 8th floors from 23 November 2019 until 1 March 2020. See more details at https://www.bacc.or.th or http://sunpride.hk

Illustrations by Porraphat.com

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