Ilustrator and cartoonist Prum Vannak is largely self-taught, and takes his inspiration from the world around him.
He has received acclaim in using his art to depict the harsh reality of his time spent trapped on a Thai fishing boat, and is a survivor of labor trafficking. This led to an award from the US Department of State, and his art being featured in a documentary film and on the Radio Free Asia web site.
Unlike most Cambodian illustrators who chase freelance work in Phnom Penh, Vannak lives with his family in rural Pursat and is working hard to make a living from commercial art. While he is famous internationally, his income and his daily life in the village have not changed much.
This exhibition explores the two worlds the artist lives in.
For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact OurBooksCambodia.org
The exhibition will take place Wednesday November 20th to Saturday December 14th at Rik Reay Gallery, Phnom Penh.
Venue: Rik Reay shop, 69c, Street 178, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Contact: John Weeks +885 (0)12 526 840 / Soeun Klo 017 626 207 Landline: 023 990 706
Links: http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2010120245133/National-news/never-ending-cycle-the-human-cost-of-slave-labour.html
http://sea-globe.com/painting-the-pain-away/
http://www.goodmorningbeautifulfilms.com/portfolio/mekong-diaries/
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/special/HumanTrafficking/vannak.html
http://khmerbird.com/news/cambodia-slavery.html