Some years ago I was travelling in Cambodia and caught a river ferry from Battambang to Siem Reap. As I journeyed past floating villages and numerous communities on the river banks I saw some amazing sights, to say nothing of the people themselves, so hard working, happy and friendly. Their homes were all designed to cope with massive changes in water levels as seasonal flows back filled from the Tonle Sap lake and river systems.
Fishing is a form of livelihood and so with elaborately crafted nets families would cleverly seek out food sources. (Amongst which is small fish to make the ubiquitous Cambodian version of fish sauce)
Fish nets could be on a grand scale, like monumental sculpture.
So when I saw the work of Sopheap Pich and read that he came from Battambang it was an instant connection as to his likely influences.
Upstream 2005 Bamboo, rattan & wire
Morning Glory 2011
Cycle 2 2008 Rattan & wire
http://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2013/sopheap-pich
http://sopheappich.com
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