These gold paintings belong to a new series by Rirkrit Tiravanija. The background of the panels are made up of three different newspapers that refer to the political unrest in Thailand. Tensions stem from deep-rooted corruption within the political system and the Royal family over many years; culminating in a series of events including the dismissal of the Prime Minister and a number of key politicians, and the army seizing power in coup in May 2014.

Each of these works uses an edition of the English language Thai broadsheet newspaper, The National from different dates in 2009, which was the year in which the “Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva faced rising public discontent with his government and near-constant rumours of a military coup”.

The news of related political events within these broadsheets are concealed by a gold eclipse. An eclipse obscures the light from one celestial body by the passage of another, blocking or veiling both. All vision is suspended, you are either blinded by light or thrown into total darkness.

The paintings are made using an Ancient Thai method of applying gold leaf that has been used for generations in the decora- tive arts in Thailand.

'When the moon and Sun are in a perfect line, it is called a total eclipse. These are very rare. Most people only see one in their lifetime'.