Page 2: On the Spotlight: Pheakdey S. Bun
RAJANA: What interests you in participating in the logo contest?
MIKE: That I finally get the opportunity to design something for
my own culture. I have designed many other works in the past as early as high school, but nothing on Cambodia.
RAJANA: What is your inspiration in creating the logo?
How did you come up with this idea?
PHEAKDEY: : I wanted to find a visual or an item that symbolizes both Khmer art
and entertainment. I did some research and read a few books and found that the
"apsara" would fit well in this concept. Apsaras are in folklore dance, music,
sculpture, paintings, etc.
RAJANA: : I know you have seen those posters in the Khmer
communities advertising a concert, party, etc. What do you think about them?
PHEAKDEY: Umm, I guess they are okay. It needs a lot of improvements.
RAJANA: Have you created any of these posters in the past?
PHEAKDEY: Well, none that are specialized for the Khmer community, but I
did design one for my community's street festival.
They can view at
www.cotedesneigesenfete.tk.
RAJANA: Great! Oh, so you enjoy using your art skills for the community?
PHEAKDEY: Yes. My goal is to use my art skills to improve humanity. For example,
I would love to work with a local or international organization designing posters,
pamphlets, brochures, etc to address world problems like air pollution, deforestation,
substance abuse, domestic violence, just to name a few.
RAJANA: Speaking of Khmer communities, what can you say
about the community that you reside in Montreal?
PHEAKDEY: I know there is a lot of Khmer here in Montreal and there is a
Khmer community group named ''Communauté Angkorienne du Canada'' that
organizes many events, offers language and dance classes, which I praise.
I think the Khmer community has improved for the past years and it's great
to see that organizations mentioned and others make efforts to integrate
the youth and share the culture to the new generation. Here is the
organization's website:
http://communaute.angkorienne.org/.
RAJANA: What gives you inspiration to paint?
PHEAKDEY: Everything. The everyday life, the people around me, things that I see in the
subway …. I guess in the eye of an artist, every simple thing can be a source for
work (painting) if we know how to find meaning behind it.
RAJANA: What are your current art projects?
PHEAKDEY: Right now I am floating by a ton of projects for school. Kind of stressed out.
I am designing a poster for a theatrical play for eight-year-old kids. It is a contest
that every student in my program is participating too.
I really enjoy doing illustrations for kids because it provides fewer restrictions.
RAJANA: During Khmer New Year celebrations, what
activity or one thing you look forward to the most?
PHEAKDEY: The night party after being at the pagoda! Naw, I'm just
kidding. There is not one thing that I look forward to the most
but just to have fun celebrating with family and friends.
