Dominic Hak
St Paul's Catholic College
OFFERINGS; RETURN TO SENDER
Drawing
Metal trays, pastel pencils, Stonehenge paper
Cambodia appears to be a nation of charming and confounding people, but look deeper and it is a country of contradictions. Light and dark, rich and poor, old and young, traditional and contemporary. Most telling of all is the evidence of the nation’s tragic past set against the splendours of its present. My body of work represents a collection of postcards detailing every aspect of Khmer life, as a tribute to all Cambodians. An offering of pride, a message of hope, with a measure of admiration for my culture and its history. A love letter to the Kingdom of Wonder.
Marker's Commentary
Offerings; Return to sender is an accomplished suite of drawings executed through an exquisitely sensitive and assured use of pastel media. Aspects of Khmer life is beautifully rendered through confident, sophisticated and highly assured mark-making. The richness of the gold offering stands and gold leaf framed images, serve as tributes, offerings of pride, messages of hope, and admiration. Offerings, to heal the rich and sometimes painful stories of the nation are presented on ceremonial stands in a careful formation of five rows. Each drawing is presented with a stamped postcard, written in Khmer, in preparation to be returned to the sender, the student’s home country. The rhythm and repetition of this installation provides an intimate moment for the audience to interact and study the student’s cultural history.