NEW YORK, NY -- Works of hyperrealist painter Denis Peterson are recognized worldwide as provocative and iconoclastic. When he committed to doing the Cambodian installation "Cactus Flowers" he carefully researched the atrocities committed at S-21, a high school converted into a torture chamber and death camp by a former high school teacher.

Cambodia provided Mr. Peterson with actual photos for the installation paintings, The photos were taken at the time of capture by the Khmer Rouge. The photographer of the only known photo of the executioner (prior to his arrest) allowed Mr. Peterson to use it as a reference photo for the project.