Thai artist turns Songkhla residents into movie stars

A 15m-long painting OK Nakorn created in old-fashioned billboard style by Navin Rawanchaikul and his production team is installed at the now defunct cinema Saha Phapayon in Songkhla’s old town. - The Nation/ANN

Known internationally for artworks that speak about his origins, identity and cultural convergence, half-Thai-half Indian artist Navin Rawanchaikul is going beyond self-discovery in a new community-based project in Thailand’s deep south.

The OK Nakorn - Singora Diary project has taken him to the southern province of Songkhla where he is reviving the city’s old town with his signature old-fashioned movie billboard, monochrome mural, video installation and music video that connect art easily with the community members.