Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Portraits of Cambodia

Portraits of Cambodia

Portraits of Cambodia

120705_17a

Japanese painter Nobuaki Hirose was so moved by the faces of Cambodians that he painted an entire series capturing the many expressions and emotions of everyday Khmers. Photograph: supplied

After setting foot on Cambodian soil, Japanese artist Nobuaki Hirose was so moved by the faces of the Kingdom’s people that he felt inspired to create artworks from them, transferring their many facial expressions to a series of paintings.

Hirose’s Displaying Khmer series, which consists of 18 paintings and six sketches, will open to the public this evening at 6pm, and will be on display until July 29 at the Insider Gallery of the InterContinental Hotel.

Jenny Tchen, the InterContinental’s marketing communications manager, says she chose to display Hirose’s works in the hotel because she felt the artist had a special technique that revealed not only the beauty and diversity of humanity, but also its dignity.

“Each of the portraits that comprise his show at the Insider Gallery is unbelievably expressive and has an independent identity and existence, revealing the mind and soul of the subject,” Tchen said yesterday.

Hirose graduated from Waseda University in Japan with a major in architecture.

He began painting as a student, producing a significant number of oil paintings and exhibiting in Japan, Kenya and Tanzania.

He also taught mathematics for many years before moving to Cambodia two years ago.

He works as a co-ordinator for the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) in the Kingdom.

For his latest series, Hirose chose to immortalise the everyday people of Cambodia as a tribute to the country that has welcomed him.

To see the many faces of Cambodia, as well as the artist’s masterful use of layers of colour, everybody is welcome to tonight’s 6pm opening.
The exhibit may be viewed until July 29 at the Insider Gallery of the InterContinental Hotel, #296 Mao Tse Toung Blvd, Phnom Penh.

To contact the reporter on this story: Roth Meas at [email protected]

MOST VIEWED

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • PM urges end to ‘baseless’ international Ream base accusations

    Prime Minister Hun Sen urges an end to “baseless” foreign accusations surrounding the development of the Kingdom’s Ream Naval Base, as the US has consistently suggested that the base is being expanded to accommodate a Chinese military presence. Hun Sen renewed his calls while

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.