PHNOM PENH: Having studied in London and New York, Phnom Penh photographer Tyta Buth returned to Cambodia in 2017 with a renewed sense of home, purpose and the beauty in everyday life. “Being away from home for so long, when I came back there was this draw,” she said. “It’s about connecting to my roots and how growing up here has shaped the way that I think. My perception on things has changed and I think that’s why I came back here.”
Taking a leap of faith into a freelance career as a photographer in 2019, her hard work and vision has paid off to create a portfolio that is diverse, personal and evolving as she begins work at her new studio at Tuol Tom Poung’s Java Creative Café, which she inaugurated with a photo exhibition on Saturday night.
Her current exhibition entitled “Say Cheese” is a departure from her previous work. “I felt like a new Tyta is coming into the picture. There is like a new energy about me,” she said. She’s branching out from the subtle, high art of her beginnings and giving into her playful roots with more color and louder visuals. Stylized photos of food and a single portrait are craftily branded with the Tytaart logo-an intentional move to bring her art into a more commercial realm. Her current goal is to make art that is recognizable, accessible and affordable. “I want Studio Tytaart to be very fresh, very street and very youthful,” she said.
One of the things that stands out about Tyta is her quiet confidence in her work. It is a rare quality in such a young artist, but after speaking with her family and friends, it is clear she is surrounded by love and support that has allowed her to grow and thrive. She speaks often and very highly of her mother, Sophea, who has supported her in all her endeavours. Sophea gushes with pride when talking about her daughter’s achievements. “I let her do everything on her own,” she said. “When she told me to come today for the soft opening of her studio, I saw it and I’m so proud. I cannot believe that she can do this by herself! I just support her.”
Speaking with Tyta’s sister Vattana also gave insight to her solid support system. When asked about their thoughts on her new exhibition, Vattana said, “I’m still loving it. She still rocks at it. She’s doing what she loves and all her art is creative and her own. Basically, she made what she dreamed of into a reality.” Tyta’s grandmother also made it to the studio’s soft opening to support her granddaughter and in true granny fashion, could not pick a favorite photo. She loved them all.
Although confident, Tyta remains humble about her art. She leaves interpretation up to the observer and is not yet comfortable giving advice to other artists while she finds her own path. “My message is no message,” she said. “My work is really open for people to interpret it the way that they want it to be. I want to share happiness and photography is what brings me so much joy and I want to share that joy through my work and hopefully people will feel the same.” While she does not yet feel equipped to advise her fellow young Cambodian artists, she did have some wisdom that applies to people in many fields. “Just believe in your work, find your own voice and be consistent with your voice and be bold and just go for it.”
Tyta’s career is a microcosm of Cambodia’s young and rapidly growing art scene. “The culture and the art industry have grown so much,” said Tyta. “A lot of young people are more willing to express their art and show their art. More people are interested in the arts as well.” The model from the only portrait in the “Say Cheese” exhibit, Coleen Graham, has also noted a shift in the Phnom Penh art scene. “It’s growing. When I first came here, there was no color,” she said. “I’m excited to see color start to come out. I can see things happening, which is great.” Attending the opening was a fellow artist named David, who had been in the Phnom Penh art scene since 2013. “There’s definitely a boom,” he said. “People are appreciating art way more than before: appreciating contemporary art way more than what we experienced in 2013/2014. People are much more open-minded to how one can express themselves through art so that’s a really great thing.”
Those attending the exhibition all had different favorite photos, proving the versatility in the art Tyta produces and its ability to speak to people for different reasons. For the moment, she is quietly building up future projects and settling in to her new creative space. It is clear that Tyta Buth is well on her way to becoming an important foundational figure in the development of contemporary Cambodian art.
