Chumneang Pteah (2022)

1 x neon light installation, 160 x 125 x 87 cm
4 x stainless steel with aluminum backing, 57 x 59 cm, 50 x 59 cm, 54.6 x 68 cm, 78.8 x 65.6 cm
Installation view, Sa Sa Art Projects, 2022
Digital rendering: Kong Siden
Production and installation: Prum Ero

Chumneang Pteah consists of an architectural installation made of neon light and four steel images of a kind of shrine called chumneang pteah (house spirit). Cambodian chumneang pteah is influenced by a Chinese practice believing that there is a spirit who takes care of each house. People place chumneang pteah, which is commonly made of a miniature house, on the ground facing out to the entrance of a residence or home of business.

In contrast, S h r i n e is a human-scale chumneang pteah in skeletal fragments made of neon light tubes suspended in space two meters off the ground. Its face tilts down and radiates red light like fire confronting the audience as they enter the premises. The other four wall pieces, Mirror Shrine, are made of alluring golden stainless steel, outlining chumneang pteah in various designs. They reflect like mirrors, producing ever-changing images as the audience walks past them.

Chumneang Pteah draws on light and reflection to create a new experience and vision as if constructing an otherworldly space for the interface between the audience and the house spirit.