Cover Thai artist and father Alex Face showcases his first mural featuring ‘Mardi’ (Photo: Alex Face)
Thai artist and father Alex Face showcases his first mural featuring ‘Mardi’ (Photo: Alex Face)
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From street art to fine art, Thai artist Alex Face shares how his daughter Mardi became both muse and mirror, transforming the way he creates and connects
When Bangkok-based street artist Alex Face (Patcharapol Tangruen) learned he was becoming a father, it came during an uncertain time in his life. “I always thought that having a child would require more stability,” he says. “But at the same time, I was excited for the new life that was about to begin.”
In 2009, his daughter Mardi—meaning “good things are coming”—was born. “Parenthood completely transformed my existence,” he shares. “I shifted from living a relaxed life to one where I had to look at my life as a bigger picture, cut out everything unnecessary and focus on my career goals.”
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Face approached his work with a new purpose. “During this period of time I approached every opportunity with total dedication, feeling more energised and inspired than before. It’s not that I had been working without commitment in the past, but it was like I was finding meaning in each task and seeing the goals for the next steps better.”
Above Alex Face with his daughter, Mardi
Alex Face with his daughter, Mardi
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Before fatherhood, Face’s street art featured halved versions of his own face. After Mardi’s birth, everything changed. “After my child was born, I started drawing sketches of a stressed-looking baby face in my blackbook every day,” he explains. “This was because I was always in close proximity to a newborn who would always look puzzled or suspicious, and never failed to furrow her brows.”
He recalls joking with his infant daughter about worrying for the world’s future. “It was me who was worried,” he admits. “I had many questions about what kind of society my daughter would grow up in, both in my own country and the world, especially considering the changes happening every day.”
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These concerns inspired his famous work. “That was the starting point for me to spray-paint a baby’s curious face on the walls of Bangkok, which later made its way to other cities.” Though inspired by Mardi, the character transcends the personal. “I always remembered to tell her: This character is inspired by you, but the work may not always represent you specifically. It also speaks about other children too.”
Fans call his character Mardi, but Face clarifies: “I didn’t intend for people to call my character Mardi. Perhaps people instinctively dub it that because it’s my daughter’s name. Of course, the original baby’s face was based on my daughter’s, but I intentionally kept the character nameless.”
Above Young Mardi wandering through her father’s exhibition
Above Face hopes his daughter remembers she inspired him
Young Mardi wandering through her father’s exhibition
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“My characters encapsulate all genders and it’s up to the audience to interpret. They sometimes wear the costume of a prey animal like a rabbit, while other times they wear the costume of a predator like a tiger,” Face says, emphasising that context changes meaning.
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Face recalls when Mardi was three: “I remember when I created The Underground Adventure, my solo exhibition in 2012. She knew that I was inspired by her and walked proudly throughout the exhibition. She also saw my spray-painted works on walls in various places, and I could tell that she felt a sense of pride.”
As Mardi grows, her influence on her father has also evolved. “I have discovered that she possesses stronger skills than I do in many areas,” Face says with pride. “Now that she is a teenager, talking to her and spending time together allows me to stay updated on what is happening in society from her generation’s perspective.”
Above The nameless baby-faced character inspired by Mardi
The nameless baby-faced character inspired by Mardi
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Fatherhood has also changed Face’s worldview. “Having a child completely changed how I see the world. Prior to her I was only interested in myself, but after her arrival I started to look at the world through a broader view. I became interested in politics, and various current events, because I realised that my child would grow up as a part of this society.”
This gave new purpose to his art. “My work which by nature already exists in public spaces, has the potential to be a tool for expressing my thoughts and feelings about society, and for sharing those perspectives with others.”
Face hopes Mardi finds happiness in whatever she chooses. His legacy to her, he says: “I want her to remember and feel proud of the fact that she was the starting point and the inspiration that helped me grow.”
His final reflection: “What I hope my daughter remembers about me are the intentions of a father who, in his own way, tried to do something for her future, even if all I could do was paint walls.”
Credits
Images: Courtesy of Alex Face
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