Drawingg Room: June 2010

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

The rich Japanese fine arts tradition is preserved in many different forms of cultural expression, ranging from Buddhist sculpture to the unique architecture of Shinto shrines and Zen Buddhist temples, but it is perhaps best-known through the medium of traditional arts and crafts.
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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Cambodia pagoda painting

Wat (pagoda) painting

Cambodian wats serve as religious educational and social centres in Cambodia. There are estimated to be approximately 1,600 wats in the country, including at least 30 major complexes.

The war destroyed many wats, and only a limited number of ancient mural paintings remain in Cambodia. Photographs of Cambodian wat murals from the 19th century were taken by two art historians, Guy and Jacqueline Nafilyan in the 1960s, depicting originals which no longer exist. They include scenes of tus cheadok (the 10 lives of the Buddha), and the Reamker (Ramayana) at Wat Kompong Tralach Krom and Wat Chadotes in Kompong Chhnang, both of which have since been destroyed.

The wats have experienced a revival over the past 10 years, with new structures rising and new murals being commissioned. The old murals that remain are a beautiful and important expression of Khmer cultural heritage, more refined and richly detailed than the modern versions.

The best-known wat murals that can still be seen today are those at the Silver Pagoda in the grounds of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Wat Rajabo in Siem Reap province, and Wat Kompong Tralach Leu in Kompong Chhnang Province. All are in a fragile state, but still display the rich colours obtained from the natural pigments used. Restoration work is urgently needed.

Visual arts of Cambodia

The history of visual arts in Cambodia stretches back centuries to ancient crafts. Traditional Cambodian arts and crafts include textiles, non-textile weaving, silversmithing, stone carving, lacquerware, ceramics, wat murals, and kite-making. Beginning in the mid-20th century, a tradition of modern art began in Cambodia, though in the later 20th century both traditional and modern arts declined for several reasons, including the killing of artists by the Khmer Rouge. The country has experienced a recent artistic revival due to increased support from governments, NGOs, and foreign tourists.