No Cry, 2018

Sam Samchuan  

A young painter who works in a small studio on the west-central mantle of his country, far from the main tourist destinations. He is a very simple and friendly guy, with a partial disability that makes his work even more interesting (to me). He pays for his days by selling ordinary paintings that he makes on demand to the few travelers who stop by his place. 

His kind sister assists him, speaking in English if he can't. I entered his house, even though the window was not interesting. We still talked for a long time because I like meeting people and their stories. While talking, I walked around but nothing that was hanging there could catch my eye. 

When I was about to leave, I captured a yellow line on the floor in the back of the studio. This color did not line up with any other color in the place. So I asked his permission to look at it. He was ashamed and told me (through his sister) "these paintings are just fun stuff I'm doing for myself...not worth seeing...". But I was already holding the Tyger in my hands. I saw this Thai work by Picasso and all its power flew through me and chased me away. This man-eater was to be mine. 

We negotiated a price that could be fair to both parties and here we are. The power of the painting comes from the pupil of the animal. The yellow background is so absurd and total. A few lines mixing meadows and muscles. Then two women came out of the shadows...