MOCA Bangkok Honors Artist Pharuephon Mukdasanit with 'MAMAFAKA REIMAGINED'
An exhibition marking the 10th anniversary of his passing, featuring original artworks and new interpretations by 12 contemporary artists.
MOCA Bangkok, along with 12 contemporary artists, have come together to pay homage to late artist Pharuephon “Mamafaka” Mukdasanit through the MAMAFAKA REIMAGINED exhibition.
The show is designed to celebrate Pharuephon’s life and his impact on the street art scene in Thailand, primarily through the lens of his most iconic character, “Mr. HellYeah.”
Mamafaka’s career trajectory took him from graphic design to becoming a seminal member of Brand Of Radical Experimental Design (B.O.R.E.D.) — a group of innovative graphic designers, formed in 2002. Following this, he joined the street artist collective “FOR” in 2011, the year he started going by the moniker “Mamafaka.” It’s worth noting that several artists from this collective have gone on to become household names in the art world.
In the midst of a burgeoning career, Mamafaka was met with a tragic fate, passing away in a drowning accident on September 9, 2013. In an outpour of support and recognition of the artist, over 400 artworks were created and submitted to be exhibited at his funeral, from friends and fans in the music, fashion and design fields.
To further honor his legacy, MAMAFAKA REIMAGINED brings together various works of his, held by private collectors, as well as a range of inspired works from 12 different artists. From a conceptual standpoint, the exhibition offers insight into the legacy of an artist who left an indelible mark on his peers and the cultural tapestry of Thailand. Visitors can expect to immerse themselves in a narrative that weaves together the past and present of street art, shaped by Mamafaka’s vision and the enduring impact of his creative spirit.
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Taking a look at the collaborators and works featured in the exhibition, we start with Archives Design, a division of the Thai leather goods manufacturer Ampa, which was established in 1985. On the other hand, Archives Design started in 2020, with the goal of integrating art, design, music and fashion into innovative interior design concepts. For the exhibition, the group provided a handcrafted leather soccer ball titled Eye Ball as well as a model of Mamafaka’s Mr.HellYeah character expressed through handcrafted leather upholstery on fiberglass.
Artist Parinya Sirisinsuk aka BENZILLA, known for his character “LOOOK” and style that embraces street art, pop culture and sci-fi influences was also among those selected to contribute. While his work generally utilizes spray paint and other graphic art methods, his tribute piece Baba was executed in fine detail primarily through the use of drawing. He noted that the work was inspired by Mamafaka’s “Barbapapa” character and that his work reflects a strong memory associated with it.
Koonklung “Klung” Kouputhai, a leading Thai film director and a member of the B.O.R.E.D. group also contributed to the exhibition, with a work titled bone and born — crafted from wood and accompanied by the words “Culture of life and Culture of death Moral values are given prominence and human.”
Additionally, artist Pongpassakorn Kulthirathum, known as KOBORED, a visual artist and motion-graphic designer who specializes in music videos, commercials and 3D mapping, provided a kinetic art installation titled Multi eyes. The piece features 19 mirrors, each with a single painted eye, which together reflect light that dances on the dark walls of the exhibition.
One of the only photographs in the exhibition was provided by Kachain Wonglaemthong, a leading portrait and fashion photographer, with work featured in prominent magazines like Hamburger and A Day. The photograph in question., printed on a 125 x 122 cm canvas is titled Gift and features Mamafaka’s Mr.HellYeah expressed as a large black ink back tattoo.
Maythee “May-T” Noijinda, known for his guitar skills in the Modern Dog band as well as for his work as an author and illustrator prepared a psychedelic-like work titled Mamafaka vs The Beagle. The acrylic on canvas piece is said to be inspired by the Beatle’s album cover “Rubber Soul” and features a sound element to it — accessible through a QR code below the work.
Another multifaceted artist sharing their work with the exhibition included Narissara Pianwimungsa, who transitioned from painting to embroidery and is currently exploring sculpture-making and site-specific work. For the exhibition, the artist provided an untitled oil on canvas work, dressed in a vibrant red that features a bird with a Mr. HellYeah-inspired eye sitting on top of a cloaked subject.
Also joining the shoe is a pioneer of the street art scene in Thailand, NEV3R, who is known for his graffiti, painting and multimedia installations. His work, titled REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME is designed to evoke “Peace/Chaos” and is a diptych of sorts, featuring two eyes, one outlined with the symbol for peace and the other anarchy.
Tawan Wattuya, an artist focused on the dynamism of Thai society, usually expressed through a watercolor style approach, diverted from that medium for their contribution. Instead, the artist provided a work titled นางนวล, which directly translates to “gull,” presented in the medium of acrylic on canvas and picturing the Mr.HellYeah character on what appears to be an old-school Thai pinup magazine.
Artist Teerayut Puechpen or TRK, a leading figure in street art and the Art Director at Preduce Skateboards, contributed an 80 by 100 cm Stainless steel etching titled TRK x Hell Yeah. The work is polished to a mirror-like shine and features a variety of details that nod to Mamafaka’s style but also embrace traditional Thai aesthetics.
Graphic designer and street artist Rukkit Kuanhawate, known for his colorful geometric stencil work brought his style to the show through a print titled The Idol. The work features an ape character, formed from geometric shapes, all of which are filled with various nods to the late Mamafaka and his artistic journey.
Yuree Kensaku, a Japanese–Thai artist known for surreal worlds in vibrant colors, provided a mixed-media work titled Eternal Friendship that utilizes acrylic, marker, glitter, ping-pong balls, rubber, wood and more. The work expresses a sense of motion and features her signature character playing a chaotic game of table tennis with Mr.HellYeah.
Acting as both the backdrop and centerpiece for the show, however, was a triptych created by Mamafaka titled Mr.HellYeah! Fellow spanning 120 by 720 cm. The work features over two dozen iconic cartoon characters, from Dragon Ball’s Gohan to the Cookie Monster and everything in between.
In a word with Hypebeast, Kanachai “Kit” Bencharongkul, MOCA’s Managing Director shared “This street art exhibition at MOCA Bangkok is a tribute to Mamafaka, a highly influential trailblazer in Thai street art and pop culture. Although I didn’t have the opportunity to meet him personally, his impact on the art world is undeniable,” he added “This show celebrates not only Mamafaka but also the artists he inspired and the community he influenced. Just like our motto ‘Ars longa Vita brevis,’ Mamafaka may not be with us today but his art and legacy will endure.”
The exhibition is live now at MOCA Bangkok and will be available to view until January 12. For additional information on the show and ticketing, check out the Museum’s official site.
MOCA Bangkok
Temporary Exhibition Room 4, 5th Floor
499 Kamphaengphet 6 Road, Ladyao, Chatuchak
Bangkok, Thailand
