A new 'nude' exhibition in Phnom Penh is a celebration of women’s shapes and textures

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A painting from Leah Newman’s “Nude” exhibition which opens today.

"NUDE" is an exhibition of painting about the body opening at Two Fish Gallery today.

During her two years in Phnom Penh, artist Leah Newman has been working with abused women, teaching art classes as she has been steadily painting women in a celebration of women's shapes and textures.

The works mix line and shape as well as geometric and organic forms to create the nudes. "The nude is a basic form. We carry our bodies wherever we go. Our bodies are both our individuality and our humanity," Leah said.

Leah Newman premiered her works in Cambodia at the Two Fish Gallery last October and the proceeds from that exhibition were sufficient to enable her to work with trafficked and abused women in a 10-week program of creative art therapy.

"Working with these women is one of the most amazing experiences of my life. To be able to help these women who've suffered so much but are able to use their internal optimism to create art and gain a sense of self-worth is a powerful thing to witness," she said.

Born in New York City, Leah Newman has lived abroad for the past 20 years, taking part in exhibitions and community art programs in countries such as Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan and South Africa.

Leah Newman's work in Cambodia has also included teaching art classes to both adults and children at the Living Room Cafe.

The classes provide Cambodians and expatriates with an experience of working and learning from a professional artist.

"Creativity is the key to life. Whether you're a kid, an adult you can use art as a tool to discover or express yourself," she said.

The exhibition opens at Two Fish Gallery at 6pm tonight.