I stumbled across a store stacked floor-to-ceiling with an incredible collection of paintings. The owner showed me around, introducing himself as “Art.” True enough, I noticed his unmistakeable signature on each canvas.
While curious, I refrained from questioning his choice of pseudonym. “Art” has witnessed a fragile existence in his homeland. The Khmer Rouge’s brutal reign in the 1970s dealt a devastating blow to the artistic and musical community, leading to the murder of countless talents. The survivors were forced into hiding, concealing their true identities.
Today, art and music flourish brilliantly in Cambodian culture. “Art” resolutely embraces his true calling by adopting a name that, in recent history, could endanger his mere existence: Art. He paints every day. Huge paintings. Petite paintings. Paintings about Cambodian history, religion, and art.
Mr. Art chooses to sell his artwork exclusively at his own shop rather than supplying to street vendors across the city. Why? He explains that copycat paintings are endemic among vendors (“same-same!”). Mr. Art believes in preserving the authenticity of his paintings, and ensuring that the originals go directly to his patrons who take them home to various corners of the globe.
Art’s wife and sister standing outside the store. His wife runs a juice shop down the street.
Shopkeeper Stories is a photo-documentary of small business owners and their trades around the world, sharing their insights, stories and views. You can see all the posts on Instagram and Facebook @ShopkeeperStories
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