CC: May 18 Memorial Foundation 

 

The Cultural Activist for Democracy (CAD) would like to express our gratitude to your responses on the ‘Thai Uprising’, a part of Sutee Kunawichyanont’s works in the exhibition ‘The Truth to Turn It Over’ at the Gwangju Museum of Art (GMA). 

 

We have shared our thoughts on the fact that the “Thai Uprising’, a section of Sutee’s works, had been realized during his participation with Art Lane as a part of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), which has immensely effects Thailand’s path of democratization. The PDRC movement led to military intervention in 2014. As a result, Thailand has been under controlled of authoritarian rule since. Even though the junta promises to hold a general election in 2017, there is no sign of military withdrawal from Thai politics. Therefore Sutee’s participation in GMA is an act of insulting the spirit of democracy that the citizen of Gwangju has fought for.  

 

After series of our correspondence, we appreciate that the GMA and the curator, Mr. Lim Jong-Young, have released the public statement of apology in a timely manner. Besides, the GMA has placed a sign explaining such complicated story in the gallery for visitors to view. It is self-evident that Sutee Kunavichyanont and his colleagues involved in the PDRC movement that paved the way to the May 22, 2014 coup, and they remain continuing their support to the PDRC. 

 

The CAD appreciates that the GMA invited Miss Thanavi Chotpradit, the CAD representative, to give a talk in a public lecture ‘Dazed and Confused: Thai Art in the 10-Year Political Division’ at GMA on July 26, 2016.

 

Lastly, we would like to thank the GMA and the curator, Mr. Lim Jong-Young, for their professional and effective response to this incident.  

 

The CAD believes that the spirit of fighting for democracy has been tested and our mutual understanding on this incident reveals that the spirit of Gwangju and Thai citizen who fought for democracy has been honored.