SVAY KEN & CHATH PIERSATH
Outsider Art
April 25 – May 25, 2003
Java Creative Cafe Independence Monument
Art which does not belong to any other specific or defined movement.
Art which uses unconventional or invented technique unique to the artist.
Art which is created solely as an expression or communication of the artist.
Art that is created without known purpose other than the act of creation itself.
Art which is created without any conscious motive.
Svay Ken
Untitled
Acrylic on canvas
2003
Svay Ken
Untitled
Acrylic on canvas
2003
Svay Ken started painting in 1993 when he was 61 years old. Influenced by his grandfather, he intended to paint since he was young — preserving his memories for a time when he could access the appropriate materials and be able to sell his artwork. Most of Svay Ken’s work is from old memories and the rest are from his observation of life happening around him. He uses only his eye and mind to record the image and then sets his impression permanently to canvas. Diligently, he produces three to four pieces a week and is usually found painting in his gallery/studio near Wat Phnom (at the time this was first published). All of Svay Ken’s work is dedicated to the memory of his deceased wife.
Svay Ken
Untitled
Acrylic on canvas
2003
Svay Ken
Untitled
Acrylic on canvas
2003
Outsider Art is Svay Ken’s seventh exhibition, the fourth in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He has previously shown in Japan and twice in Thailand.
Editor’s note: Svay Ken passed away in 2008 at the age of 76. He was considered the “grandfather of Cambodian contemporary art” and he is greatly missed.
Svay Ken
Untitled
Acrylic on canvas
2003
Svay Ken
Untitled
Acrylic on canvas
2003
Chath Piersath began to paint as a way to exorcise the experiences of his life, to heal his pain and “express universal suffering.” Born in Cambodia in 1970, he was sponsored, along with some of his family, to live in the USA when he was eleven years old. He returned from 1994 to 1996 and again in 2002. Chath Piersath discovered painting as a way to escape and focus his energy. He paints from memory and sometimes dreams. He then realizes the image through the process of painting, letting it appear without any conscious intention. He continues to explore all available media to release his relentless creative energy.
(all works above)
Chath Piersath
Untitled
Acrylic on wood
2003
Chath Piersath
Untitled
Acrylic on wood
2003
Chath Piersath has been exhibited at the Rhode Island Foundation Gallery, RI, USA and is currently showing working at the Brush Art Gallery, MA, USA.
Chath Piersath
Untitled
Acrylic on wood
2003
Chath Piersath
Untitled
Acrylic on wood
2003
Chath Piersath
Untitled
Acrylic on wood
2003
Chath Piersath
Untitled
Acrylic on wood
2003
The Java community art spaces operate as non-profit programs with support from the cafe and private sponsors. It brings art to the Phnom Penh public in ways they may not normally experience with beautiful and thought-provoking exhibitions and live events.
Some of our archived files have low resolution or don’t exist at all. Sometimes we were focused more on making exhibitions than archiving. Additionally, a fire many years ago destroyed all of our hard copies and a significant portion of our digital copies. If you are the artist or have access to images, press or anything else related to the exhibition, please contact us.