Street art wars have been fought over less, and when fans of the late graffiti artist “Mamafaka” learned an iconic mural had been “bombed” by another group’s less-than-artful tag, they organized to retaliate.
Creating art on public spaces is always a temporary thing, and no one can claim ownership of the canvas. But many fans of Mamafaka – who died in September while vacationing in Phuket – expressed their anger Wednesday by painting over the amateurish tag of “Mas043” crew and turning the wall into an upcoming exhibition dedicated to Pharuephon “Tum” Mukdasani.
The artist’s original mural, “Mr. Hell Yeah” was painted last year to be featured in Bangkok’s Buk Ruk street art festival.
Nicolas Dali, a festival organizer, said that losing works of art back to the streets is “unfortunately part of the game.”
“I would be it’s nothing personal, but still sad to see nice pieces covered by shit,” he said.
Some present at the site under the Ratchathewi BTS station on Wednesday said they understood that what happened is the nature of street art but regretted the handling of one of Mamafaka’s greatest works.
Bird, a fashion photographer from Cheeze magazine, said that being Thai, they should be a little more considerate about appropriateness.
A street artist known as DBT Street, or Day, defended the reuse of the space, saying that particular site has and continues to be used hundreds of times by many local and international artists and is a starting place for many new talents.
Images from Wednesday’s black-out party are below with more comments from participants in the gallery. Additional reporting Todd Ruiz.
Related:
‘Mamafaka’ fans outraged by ‘bombing’ of late artist’s mural
Photo Essay: Street Art of Bangkok
Fans mourn death of ‘MR.HELLYEAH!’ creator and graphic designer Mamafaka
