ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Bangkok Art Center Censors Exhibition After Chinese Embassy Demands

institutional · 2026-04-19

Under pressure from the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) concealed artist identities and modified pieces in the exhibit titled "Constellation of Complicity: Visualising the Global Machinery of Authoritarian Solidarity." On July 27, officials from the embassy requested these alterations to prevent diplomatic issues. The exhibition, organized by the Myanmar Peace Museum, included artists Clara Cheung, Gum Cheng Yee Man, Tenzin Minguyur Paldron, and Mukaddas Mijit, whose names were obscured and artworks hidden. Between July 30-31, officials demanded the complete removal of Paldron's video presentations. BACC representatives indicated that these changes were necessary to avoid diplomatic friction, while co-curator Sai highlighted the irony of censoring a display focused on authoritarian collaboration.

Key facts

  • BACC obscured artist names and altered works in early August 2024
  • Changes followed pressure from Chinese Embassy in Thailand
  • Exhibition titled "Constellation of Complicity: Visualising the Global Machinery of Authoritarian Solidarity"
  • Curated by Myanmar Peace Museum
  • Hong Kong artists Clara Cheung and Gum Cheng Yee Man had names redacted
  • Tibetan artist Tenzin Minguyur Paldron and Uyghur artist Mukaddas Mijit affected
  • Uyghur and Tibetan flags in Paldron's installation were blacked out
  • Liz Hee's graphic comparing China and Israel was removed
  • Chinese officials visited on July 27, July 30-31, and August 6
  • Officials demanded removal of Paldron's video works including 2024 film
  • Materials depicting Chinese president Xi Jinping required removal
  • Embassy urged adherence to One China policy
  • BACC's primary funder is Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
  • BACC stated alterations were to avoid diplomatic tensions
  • Paldron said people must speak up when museums face unfair pressure
  • Co-curator Sai called censorship tragically ironic
  • BACC planned to place black tabs over affected entries as statement

Entities

Artists

  • Clara Cheung
  • Gum Cheng Yee Man
  • Tenzin Minguyur Paldron
  • Mukaddas Mijit
  • Liz Hee
  • Sai

Institutions

  • Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC)
  • Chinese Embassy in Thailand
  • Myanmar Peace Museum
  • Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
  • Hyperallergic
  • Reuters

Locations

  • Bangkok
  • Thailand
  • China
  • Hong Kong
  • Tibet
  • Uyghur

Sources