Untitled #1 (Siam Republic Flag)

In 2010, Mit Jai Inn began a series of painting scrolls based on flags in response to the political turmoil in Thailand. What started as an exercise to imagine the possible flag of a fictional Siam Republic unscathed by internal conflicts, developed into an active engagement with the politics and history of his homeland. Untitled #1 (Siam Republic Flag), (2015) is based on the stripes of the Thai national flag that symbolise Nation, King, and Religion.  Mit complicates these layers with colours that represent the rival factions embroiled in the conflict such as the yellow shirts, the red shirts, and the (green) Army. 

When the work was first displayed, it was laid on the floor of a gallery in Bangkok, like a carpet welcoming visitors. The large area of the floor covered by the work was meant to represent both country and territory.

Despite the invitation to a participatory gesture implied by such an installation, visitors were keen to avoid stepping or standing on the work, not only because of its resemblance to the national flag but also because of its inherent value as art.

Although the object lying on the floor of that gallery was a symbol twice removed, the colours still had the power to evoke the idea of the nation. And in those unspoken acts of patriotism, we glimpse the nervous hope that the nation will overcome the political crisis.