From Incarceration to Exhibition
Jul 12th, 2007 by Jinja
This evening saw an appreciative crowd at Phnom Penh’s Bophana Centre
for Vann Nath, painter
and Tuol Sleng survivor.
I was surprised to see ’2007′ on one of the pieces, and found the exhibition contains all new paintings. These latest works revisit his memories with a striking precision and clarity, and contrast the horrific with the bucolic. I recall from interviews he’d said making these paintings had been difficult, and that he preferred more peaceful subjects.
But perhaps time and distance have given him the perspective and will to review this difficult story, on canvas as well as in film. While his health remains an issue, he hopes also to revise and add some material to his autobiography.
Left: the man of the hour, surrounded by a swarm of Stateside students from ‘Global Youth Connect’.
Tags: Cambodia,khmer,exhibition
Glad to hear he’s still around and creating work. Thanks for posting this, J!