Daily Objects at the White Building (2014) By Orawan Arunrak

a series of 14 drawings, pen on paper, displayed in notebook 14x8.6cm

Similar to the drawings of views of the windows; I feel like life in the White Building is really interesting. I know that from the time after 2pm, people would come down and prepare things to sell on the main road, and they would sell also in front of the White Building, because it’s easy to see what they’re selling. So for me, the objects that they use to make money for their life, the objects for their work, these are objects to that help people to get to know each other, in the way same as my drawings help me to get to know them too.

part of Come In (2014)
at the White Building, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Table borrowed from neighbors, pen on paper and paper notebooks, lotus flowers, vase, fruits, mat, cushions

Orawan Arunrak undertook a residency at the White Building neighbourhood in central Phnom Penh, hosted by artist-run space Sa Sa Art Projects. Orawan’s residency focused on the use of portraiture as a means to understand people. Through drawing her temporary neighbours in their homes at the White Building, she gained a privileged insight into this creative community. Come In was the title given to the work created during this residency, comprising several series of drawings that illustrate the interiors of homes at the White Building, the exterior view of their windows, faces of children in the community, and simple materials by which many residents earn their daily living by selling food on the streets of Phnom Penh. The drawings were arranged in a kind of “Open Studio” installation in the White Building to share with Orawan’s neighbours and new friends. Orawan enjoyed a mutual exchange with the villagers and surrounding community, which can be seen in the drawings.