Ping Vey
Oeur Sokuntevy
May 16 – June 24, 2012

Opening 6-9pm Wednesday, May 16
Java Café & Gallery (upstairs)
56 Sihanouk Blvd, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Ping Vey is a coming of age story, told by Cambodia’s surrealist painter, Oeur Sokuntevy. It moves not in a linear direction but through the fluctuating emotional landscape of a young man. The scenes, thick with symbolism and references, reveal the dreams, fears and longing of the main character, represented as a pig-figure (a reference to the Cambodian zodiac). Through her intuitive style, the artist explores this psychological terrain—a shift that she says is not restricted by gender and can resonate with many stages in one’s life.

With this series Sokuntevy explores a new scale with large canvases, previously working on small intimate and highly-textured works on handmade paper. The flattened surface of the canvas emphasizes details of the elaborate scenes and the size draws the viewer into the surreal compositions.

For the opening we'll be serving drinks and snacks inspired by the artist's favorites!