Master Leads Emerging Students in US Dance Tour

The Children of Bassac Classical and Folk Dance group perform in front of the National Museum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. (Photo: Courtesy of Long Chean)

Poch Reasey, VOA Khmer
Washington Monday, 18 April 2011

“I was so moved. Tears almost came to my eyes. It was such an amazing crowd.”

“The Children of Bassac,” a troupe of emerging Cambodian classic and folk dancers, is touring the US through May 10.

The performance is led by master artist Ieng Sithul, who told “Hello VOA” on Thursday he wants to see Khmer dance showcased internationally.

“We put on several performances a day,” he said. “We are all tired, but we have a mission and that is to promote and explain Khmer culture.”

Introducing Artist Chea Vuthea

Chea Vuthea showing off his drawings of me and my family (Phnom Penh, 27 April 2010)

Introducing Artist Chea Vuthea

By Theary C. Seng
Originally posted at http://www.thearyseng.com/artist/55/166

You too can have your photos beautifully drawn by young artist Vuthea to their amazing likeness, and in the process support and encourage his talent and skills.

Unfortunately, Vuthea does not speak English or have access to email so I have arranged for my personal assistant Sivnin to facilitate the transaction given her language skills as well as exposure to the non-Cambodian speaking, international community. I've asked that Sivnin charge a small commission for her time which is 100% hers to keep (inclusive of the prices listed below).

Ms. EAM Sivnin
sivnin.eam@gmail.com
+855.17.993.118

My contribution is purely pro bono in expanding the marketplace for Vuthea and opportunities for Sivnin... Well, I do derive the pleasure and benefits in furthering the arts and the opportunities of young Cambodians!!


Anyone who has visited me at home has seen the stairwell full of Chea Vuthea's portrait drawings of Cambodian children and dancers, right alongside iconic photographs given to me by Al Rockoff of Phnom Penh on 17 April 1975 and a few days before.

For example of prices, based on number of person on one page and proportion:

One person, 25 cm X 35 cm: US$25
US$25
US$60 (40 cm X 60 cm thick drawing paper)

Please allow for 2 - 3 weeks for each drawing.

For more information, please visit: www.thearyseng.com "Artist" or click here.

Massive marks for artwork

Facing forward: Cabramatta High School students Mom Prak, Vanna Heng and Bing Mo display Vanna's work before it was sent off to the Board of Studies for marking. Picture: Wesley Lonergan

24/09/2008
BY KATHERINE FENECH
Fairfield City Champion (Australia)

All Vanna Heng needed to create her HSC artwork was paper, a stick and a jar of ink.

The end result was a series of pieces depicting faces from Vanna's point of view.

They will soon be sent off for marking by the Board of Studies, but they were also part of Cabramatta High School's Bodies of Work art exhibition.

Vanna Heng, 21, of Fairfield Heights, migrated to Australia from Cambodia with her family four years ago.

''I want to say thank you to my teacher for helping us achieve our goals,'' she said.

Mom Prak, 22, who migrated from Cambodia in 2003, went down a different path.

She designed a children's book called Wolf.

''It's about a rabbit that went along to the library to borrow a book,'' she said.

Bing Mo's work is a busy piece called Where is My Pencil? that illustrates the inside of an artist's studio.

It has been described as a ''mammoth work'' and captures the surroundings of an artist whose work has spilled over into everyday life.

All three of the students received top marks of 50 out of 50 for their artworks from the school.