Piteak
Piteak
Sala Artspace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 2007
One day, driving through Phnom Penh, I discovered a hut, build against the wall of Wat Phnom. The shelter was built with different materials and paintings. I found out that the artist Piteak lived there, once a monk in the temple behind the wall.
Piteak lives and works in Phnom Penh. Graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Arts, he literary lives art. Living in a house made of his paintings, his house is an installation of life detritus, he makes beauty from discarded every day objects.
His work is critical and political, and although aesthetically Cambodian his,one notices that themes and ideas take a different slat. Using typically iconic Cambodian images, Piteak revolutionizes them, playing with controversial themes such as gods having sex, religious symbols being transformed with a unique critique on politics and power. The paintings are energetic and shows a independent view.
About Piteak
Piteak was born in 1976 In Battambang, where he studied Fine arts (Modern Art) and later moved to Phnom Penh, where he studied at the royal University of fine Arts Ministry of Culture and fine arts Phnom Penh (Diploma), and in 1988 Fine Arts (General studies) Royal University of Fine Arts, Phnom Penh.
In 1994 he became a monk to return a good deed to his parents and then left precept in 1997 and began painting, continued studying in private school with a french teacher called Bokeap, who is well known in the art community. For a further year, with help and sponsorship of medicins Sans frontier, H.E, Morice, Mme. Simone (NYEMO) and the director of Classical Art Gallery Company (France), Piteak painted and sketched classical drawings of the Ramayana story for his Majesty Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk in Preacheomorakat Cathedral.
Piteak lives in his home with his two younger brothers and cleans in a bar. He shows and sells his work at home, but the place is very dark and not a good location. Piteak had several exhibitions (New Art Gallery, Phnom Penh).Working hard at living as a professional artist, Piteak proved hard, but he has never given up and as time has gone and has proved to be a prolific artist.
Based on classical drawings, accessible materials and modern visual icons, Piteaks work reflects his personal journey as an artist and a street living individual. The exhibition space is transformed into a large installation, with Piteaks paintings, drawings and objects. During the exhibition, a documentary by Ali Sanderson, about his life in his this house will be shown.
During the exhibition period, Piteak moved into a n apartment for the first time in a year. He previously built his house out of paintings until forced to move by local authorities.Exhibition curated by Panca Evenblij and Rattana Vandy. Photos by Rattana Vandy. Video documentation by Ali Sanderson
