Friday, October 13, 2006

Apsaras in colour

My thanks to Maria for directing me to an artist who has his art gallery just across the road from The National Museum in Phnom Penh and who has brought a brilliant splash of colour to Cambodia's gorgeous Apsaras. The Asasax Art gallery is already known to many in Phnom Penh but few outside the Cambodian capital. A former art student, Asasax has worked as a painter, decorator and sculptor and has hosted exhibitions of his work especially his Apsara paintings, in both the capital and Siem Reap, where he's now opened up a second gallery. Examples of his work can be found on his website. The above 'Apsara Dancing' painting in acrylics is a fine example of his style, movement and colour.

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Yesterday I highlighted the all-girl group Universal Speakers from Long Beach, California. Today its the turn of the Khmer Angels, another trio of Long Beach residents, namely Lisa, Somalis and Rei, who are extremely popular with the large Khmer and Asian population in California. They originally got together six years ago, after finding their feet in karaoke videos locally. They combine pop songs in English with traditional Khmer tunes and are set to release a new CD very soon. Check them out at their website.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

They are all so cute! I wish to see their performance somedays in Cambodia.

Andy said...

Since my article, I have been in contact with Asasax, who tells me the following:

"You want to know about myself, I was born in 1962, nationality Cambodian, my oldest brother is an artist too. I have my own Gallery in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, so have many paintings to sell. Sometimes I have exhibitions at hotels from 3 months to 6 months, I will tell you when one is coming again.

Why did I move from jewelry to paint - because I am a person who likes the stone of temples and forest, and every weekend I always go to visit other temples."

Andy