“The Cook" is a portrait of one of the fascinating figures I encountered in the street markets of Chiang Mai, Thailand. The work is part of my series "Conscious Sleepers” in which I explore the essence of urban life.
This piece was completed during my SAC Artist Residency in Thailand in 2023. I used silk instead of canvas or paper because it’s a material which holds deep symbolic and cultural significance in Thailand. Silk is elegant and delicate, making it a stark contrast to the often rough and hard reality of a cook's life. This fabric, representing luxury and beauty, serves as a metaphor for the dreams of the cook who works tirelessly in the market.
The black paint resembles ink used in traditional calligraphy and painting, art forms that express the essence and spirit of the subject. My work purposefully lacks proportion and rigid structure. There was no previous sketch, making the outcome unpredictable until the work was completed.
I wish to present the world as it is, with all its contrasts…a world with more transparency.
The Cook, Acrylic on Silk, Thailand 2023