Art and Life: Stories in the Stream of October 6

Panel Discussion | Art and Life: Stories in the Stream of October 6

Sunday, 11 October 2026 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

At MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum, Chiang Mai

Free museum admission from 3:00 PM

Complimentary Red Truck shuttle service from Prasert Land (Limited to 20 seats, Please pre-register)

This event will be conducted in Thai

Panelists

Chokchai Tukpoe, Thongtouch Theparak, Thasnai Sethaseree, and Sinsawat Yodbangtoey

Moderate by Techin Rungwattanasophol

MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum invites you to reflect on art alongside the history of political struggle in the panel discussion Art and Life: Stories in the Stream of 6 October, part of the public program held in conjunction with the exhibition October 6th: a reconfigured archive. Featuring shared insights and discussion by Sinsawat Yodbangtoey, Coordinator of the Artists' Front of Thailand; members of the Artists' Front of Thailand, Thongtouch Theparak and Chokchai Tukpoe; alongside contemporary artist Thasnai Sethaseree, whose work engages with the events of October 6, 1976; and moderated by Techin Rungwattanasophol.

Since 1972, the concept of "Art for Life, Art for the People" grew continuously, leading to the formation of the Artists' Front of Thailand in 1974 by faculty members, art students, and artists across various disciplines. Using art as an intellectual tool, they engaged in political movements alongside student, worker, and farmer movements until the tragic event of October 6, 1976, which forced them to cease public operations by order of the National Administrative Reform Council. Nevertheless, this movement and concept have persisted, evolving into today's "Political Art."

This panel discussion aims to explore memories, the history of struggle, and the role of art as an intellectual tool, class struggle, and social movement through stories of movement and artistic creation by members of the Artists' Front of Thailand, connecting with the perspectives of contemporary artists actively driving political issues today. Together, we will review the stream of thought and question the power of art toward social change from the past, continuing into the present and future.

Schedule

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Registration

4:00 PM – 4:10 PM Opening remarks and introduction to the panel and exhibition

4:10 PM – 5:20 PM Panel discussion: Art and Life: Stories from the Stream of 6 October

5:20 PM – 5:45 PM Q&A and open discussion

5:45 PM – 6:00 PM Summary of the discussion