Palito Perak’s works explore the nature of history—not as a neutral mirror, but as a curated series of narratives written from the perspective of the victor. To Palito, historians and archivists are not so different from artists: all paint upon a blank canvas with the colours and techniques of their choosing, crafting images that reflect their intentions. Palito likens the act of studying—or even merely reading—history to peering through layers of veils in search of the truth hidden deep beneath. Once history is written, the screams of the oppressed often fade into silence, and truth is distorted through layers of interpretation and imagination. It is this sentiment that Palito seeks to reflect in his art, which has inspired the development of his own unique style.

His paintings adopt the illusion of glass—a subtle commentary that history itself is also an illusion. Palito reinterprets iconic paintings from across the centuries. Glass is a recurring motif in his oeuvre. By its very nature, glass refracts light and distorts reality. It also acts as an invisible barrier, preventing the viewer from fully engaging with the subject. In Palito’s works, the frosted surface obscures the image even further, allowing only partial glimpses through the paths carved by water droplets. This misty aesthetic evokes the filters, censors, and distortions layered into historical narratives.