Sutee Kunavichayanont, born in 1965, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Silpakorn University, Bangkok in 1989, and later obtained a master’s degree in visual arts from the University of Sydney. Sutee’s thoughtful, conceptual practice invites the viewer to ponder on themes such as history, identity, belief, conformism and power. Some of his pieces draw reference from local craft traditions, and use familiar formal language to engage the viewer in a playful and ironic probing of complex questions. Audience participation is encouraged in Sutee’s work, making artistic transmission and audience reception of ideas a two-way process. Since 1986, he has exhibited widely in local and international platforms.‘History Class’ is an installation comprising 14 wooden classroom desks. On the desktops are engraved images and texts drawn from various episodes in modern Thai history, namely uprisings, student protests, assassinations, military crackdowns and torture. ‘History Class’ reflects eloquently on the changing social, economic and political landscapes in Thailand.
