The Local Khmer Artists Profiles

Leang Seckon

As an established artist, Leang Seckon is taking advantage of his celebrity status to bring a much needed message to the public: Keep Cambodia Clean. Seckon suffers personally because of the unhealthy environment he has endured most of his life in Cambodia. He feels that we as individuals can make a difference by not polluting, keeping our homes and streets clean and taking responsibility for the effect we have on the environment. He also believes we can make real change by changing ourselves.Spread the word, and make a difference!Leang Seckon recently opened his own studio near the National Assembly, House No. 409 Street 246.

Email:seckon_leang@yahoo.com

Oeur Sokuntevy

Oeur Sokuntevy, a 23 year old independent artist, is determined to leave her mark on the Cambodian art scene. Inspired by the natural world as a child, she pursued her passion through art. She studied at Phare Ponleu Silapak in Battambang where she learned the important skills of pencil work, water color, oil painting etc. Through her studies, Sokuntevy felt compelled to carry on the traditional methods of Khmer painting, helping to preserve the culture that inspired the Angkor Wat civilization. Her attention to detail and patience allows her to execute the meticulous work required of Khmer traditional painting.

Frustrated by the lack of care for the old temple paintings, Sokuntevy uses torn pieces of paper then glues them back together in an effort to repair the past. She incorporates magical diagrams and text with flowers, straw and other natural materials with the background of paper, soaking it in coffee. The resulting layers of texture and cultural references evoke the ancient and complex history of traditional art in Cambodia. Each piece is then soaked a second time in recycled coffee grinds to give an appearance of an aged painting. The final piece transcends the traditional Khmer painting and becomes a tribute to the past while considering the future.

sokuntevy_tum @yahoo.com