“Come in” – open studio with Orawan Arunrak

Monday, 25 August 2014
Sa Sa Art Projects, #26-28 E2, White Building, Sothearos Blvd.
In Khmer and English translation.

My name is Orawan, from Thailand.
Come to visit my house. Many rooms, windows, friends in my house are waiting for you.

Bangkok-based artist Orawan Arunrak is undertaking a 6-week residency during July and August 2014 at Sa Sa Art Projects in Phnom Penh. Orawan’s residency focused on the use of portraiture as a means to understand people. Through drawing her temporary neighbours in their homes in the White Building, she gained a privileged insight into this creative community. “Come in” is an open studio event to share with Orawan’s neighbours and new friends.

Since arriving at the White Building Orawan has been going to villagers’ houses and drawing. As well as drawing inside the houses, she has drawn views of the windows, objects that villagers sell for a daily job, and also a “kids face archive.” She has enjoyed mutual exchange with the villagers and surrounding community.

About Orawan Arunrak
Orawan Arunrak (b. 1985, Bangkok) uses drawing as a process and a medium to learn, research and explore human relationships, both among ourselves and with our surrounding environments. Arunrak’s practice is based equally in her compulsive need to draw and create with humble materials, and also in her desire to use her practice to connect to people and places. Most recent solo exhibitions include Dear Duang Daoo, Ikebukuro, Tokyo (2014) and What Are They Doing Inside?, Speedy Grandma, Bangkok (2013). Select group exhibitions in 2013 include Follow Me and Concept Context Contestation: Art and the Collective in Southeast Asia, both at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre; and Profane Altars, Sensus luoghi per l'Arte Contemporanea, Florence. Prior to her Phnom Penh residency, Arunrak undertook a one-month residency in Sri Lanka. Arunrak graduated from B.F.A Printmaking, Department Of Fine Arts, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, and is based in Bangkok. More about Orawan Arunrak at www.orawanarunrak.com.

Orawan Arunrak’s residency is part of Rates of Exchange, Un-Compared: Contemporary Art in Bangkok and Phnom Penh, a six month series of residencies, exhibitions, symposia and gatherings curated by Roger Nelson and Brian Curtin.