TANG CHHIN SOTHY
Daily Life
March 2 – April 18, 2003
Java Creative Cafe Independence Monument
Tang Chhin Sothy
Dancing Hands
Film photography
2002
Tang Chhin Sothy
Young guide at Chisor Mountain Takeo Province
Film photography
2001
ARTIST STATEMENT
Even as a child I was fascinated with images. I used to watch Russian movies and be awed by the movement, the light, and being able to watch people.
One movie in particular, whose name I have forgotten, actually influenced my choice to be a photographer. The story was about a photojournalist who worked in times of war and told the stories of trauma, death, and sometimes hope through somber images. I dreamt of being famous like him. “That’s what I want to do!” I decided as a small boy. Well I’m not famous like a movie star, but I do the same work as the man in the movie. I work as a photojournalist and depict the traumas of people’s everyday life in Cambodia.
Tang Chhin Sothy
Monks on their daily routine
Film photography
2002
Tang Chhin Sothy
Smoking fish at night Prek Khmeng, Kandall Province
Film photography
2001
Tang Chhin Sothy
A man struggles to push his bicycle loaded with coconuts
Film photography
2000
As a photographer I have struggled against ignorance and misunderstanding. My own family doesn’t understand why I take photographs. Only when I make money do they see some sense in it. My father, who sells traditional medicine, just looks the other way and says, “I don’t understand how to look at it.” However, he has allowed me to pursue my passion even though he can’t see it himself. At least my sister beams proudly when I am published in the newspaper.
Tang Chhin Sothy
A group of children playing on a swing, Phnom Penh 1
Film photography
2000
Tang Chhin Sothy
A group of children playing on a swing, Phnom Penh 2
Film photography
2000
Tang Chhin Sothy
A young boy playing in his flooded field
Film photography
2001
When I work as a photojournalist, it is often intense and stressful. I make images about tragedy, politics, and loss. So, to maintain a personal sense of balance I go to the countryside to photograph the “other” side of life. People working in the fields, children playing, dancers – they all give me peace and respite from my work. I love photojournalism and don’t want to stop, but I will always need the balancing nature of daily life.
Tang Chhin Sothy
Choreographed boat racers during the annual Water Festival in November
Film photography
2000
Tang Chhin Sothy
Saving sugarcane from a flood in 2001
Film photography
2001
Tang Chhin Sothy
A fisherman working for his dinner
Film photography
1999
Tang Chhin Sothy
A woman who makes smoked fish in Prek Khmeng village, Kandall Province
Film photography
2001
Tang Chhin Sothy
A cyclo transports two children and a load of bananas
Film photography
2000
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.