Bye-bye Mardi: Alex Face removes controversial Phuket street mural

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Bye-bye Mardi: Alex Face removes controversial Phuket street mural
Tanyaluk Sakoot



PHUKET: -- Street artist Pattcharapon “Alex Face” Tangreun today (May 9) began painting over his street mural painted on the walls of the historic Standard Chartered Bank building in Phuket Old Town, upholding his promise to remove the mural by May 15.

The decision was made at a meeting on April 22, where critics voted to have the street art image of Alex Face’s character “Mardi”, a child in a rabbit costume, removed from the building.

The meeting was called in response to critics espousing outrage over the modern art emblazoned on the historic buildings walls as part of a 12-mural campaign by the “So Phuket” group to promote “F.A.T. Phuket” (Food, Art, Old Town) and encourage visitors to stroll the streets of Phuket Town.

Bangkok-based artist Mr Pattcharapon today told the media that he was not overly disheartened by the having to remove his own creation.

“Everyone has their own understanding and thinks in different ways about art. Also, everyone is thinking in the best interests of Phuket, as do I,” he said.

“Anyway, street artists accept that their paintings will be painted over sooner or later, that’s normal,” he added.

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/bye-bye-mardi-alex-face-removes-controversial-phuket-street-mural-57351.php

-- Phuket News 2016-05-10