In Than Sok’s series “Gift”, these paintings both depict and disguise concepts and currencies of giving as a form of exchange. A practice the artist likens to the Buddhist principle of merit making and its association with positive karmic return in otherworldly life. In Therevada Buddhism, a meritorious offerings karmic return is dependent not only on the spiritual quality of the giver and attitude of the recipient, but also the manner in which one gives, as well as the nature of the object given. Than Sok here is critical of what he sees these gifts as increasingly corrupt relations, capitalistic gifts, and this-worldly intentions. While they symbolize the invisibility or unknowability of intentions, they acknowledge our bondage to the transactional nature of giving and receiving.