Art and the Intolerable Death Toll in Thailand

After a tragic automobile accident in 2017, the topic of road safety helplessly took centre stage. Thailand globally ranks very high in terms of road deaths per capita and it became apparent that art could be used as a lightning rod to start conversations around the topic.

Deep diving in the topic by volunteering with the Sawang ambulance first responder team in Huahin made a lot of sense at the time. The palpable vulnerability immediately felt by the victims following these violent accidents, often involving motorcyclists with little or no protection, fueled the creative process.

Influenced by the immensely talented John Chamberlain and Dirk Skreber, a poignant exhibition on the topic is in the works.

(1) ‘‘St-Serpico of Samut Sakhon’’ / 122 x 122 cm / Acrylic, Coconut Husk, Vinyl, Neon, Wood

The undercover cop character, played by Al Pacino in the 1973 Serpico movie, fighting against corrupt police officers, is often portrayed as a talisman or good luck charm for truckers against police bribes often requested at road blocks in Thailand.

(2) Untitled / 244 x 122 cm / Acrylic, Charcoal, Canvas, Ceramic, Neon on Wood

Abstract use of the ‘‘TAX ID’’ document for my vehicle. This piece is about the fragility, the chaos and confusion experienced after a wreck.

(3) ‘‘Discarded’’ / 52 x 43 cm / Acrylic on Aluminum

This is actually the door of a pick-up truck I found at a junk yard nearby. It was the point of impact of the accident that caused the death of the truck owner (I have a copy of the accident report). I crushed the door with a manual hydraulic press for hours until it looked like a discarded ball of paper.