As black leopard artworks flood your Facebook newsfeed, we talked to Thai street artist Mauy, who uses his works to create a social impact.

You graduated from Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Fine Arts. What was the turning point to go from working in a studio to taking your art to the streets?

I had an opportunity to travel to Germany and Switzerland in 2010 and saw street art in both countries. They fascinated me and when I returned to Thailand I did some research and did some street art for the first time in 2014. Basically, the experience changed my perception on how can I present my work. Street art is open to all social strata. It, in a way, doesn’t discriminate. It’s more accessible to people in comparison to a gallery environment.

Your works centre around wild animals, environment and society. How did that come about?

While I was studying in Chiang Mai, my works centred around social issues and politics. But the more I created them, the less happy I became. I simply enjoy drawing or watching animals probably because I grew up in the country and got to interact with them. After I learned about street art, I changed what I wanted to convey through my work. I want my work to benefit the wild animals instead of being rants about society ills. I think we under-appreciate these animals and I never think of them as insignificant beings that have nothing to do with humans.

Tell us about the piece you did on the black leopard scandal?

I have my doubts about how the Thai justice system handled this case especially when it was quite clear that the accused did wrong. Somehow there seems to be little to no progress in prosecuting him, while the likelihood of him getting off scot-free is becoming more of a reality. It was more than dead animals. It represents two classes — predators and the prey — in both animal and human kingdoms.

What do you think about the outpouring of artworks by street artists who have been inspired by this scandal? Are they futile? At the very least, their artwork raise public awareness on the issue. People band together online to exchange opinions and come together under one cause. And, this, hopefully, will lead to real change. One thing you can always count on is that street art can be like a megaphone to amplify when something wrong happens in the society.

What’s your thought on some of these works getting quickly wiped out?

I don’t feel one way or another. It comes with the territory for street art. The works came to existence and their messages spread out. They live on whether they remain on the walls or not.

What kind of feedback you’ve received?

It has been better than I thought because I didn’t expect anything. I made in total four pieces on this scandal. I pay no attention to feedback because I do what I feel and it’s something I already do regularly. The overwhelming response I got was probably because I said what many people wanted to through my works. I speak my mind and many offer their support because of it. However, I don’t read every comment because I think my job was done the moment I completed the murals. What’s so special about street art? Graffiti and street art take place in public spaces and they can reflect and amplify what goes on in our society. They can help drive a movement and express ideas so long as their creators are genuine in their motives. Street art directly communicate with people in the streets. When you create art in a studio, you appreciate your own work and derive pride and joy from it. When you’re done, you basically move it from one small room to a bigger room so that certain groups of audience can appreciate it. But there’s no filter or screening process between street art and the people. Anyone regardless of their gender, age or preference is welcome to look and like or dislike street art. People can exchange their opinions at the site and interact with the artwork.

What do you think about Thailand’s street art scene?

It’s hard to say. Street art has been growing in Thailand from some years now with its own unique origin. I think how the scene is perceived is up to people in the scene themselves. If street art is truly your passion, you would take it seriously and turn it into a positive force. Then the public will start to recognise its value instead of regarding it as an act of vandalism. I firmly believe that, before the scene can get to that point, the artists have to have genuine and pure intentions first.