the sun shines in september

In a span of a month, I had my second highest number of artworks sold in my gallery by the Passage (the most would be in April this year). Normally, September is a very quite month here, but just last week, a man walked into my gallery with his wife and decided right then and there to shop for art. That man turned out to be the owner of Formula 1, and apparently, one of the wealthiest men in the universe.



He bought a total of 10 artworks - six of them from my Khmao or black series



Four of them were from my Saffron Spirit and My Asia series. They found me through my friend Don (www.fuchsiaboy.blogspot.com) who happens to be the curator / artist extraordinaire of Hotel de la Paix where they were staying. I hurriedly packed the ten artworks in time for them to stuff them into their private jet the next day. They also commissioned ten paintings from Khmer artist Em Riem who was exhibiting at Hotel de la Paix's Arts Lounge.




I also sold a diptych to a couple from Venice, Italy a couple of weeks ago from my new series - Faith of Our Fathers.




Two nights ago, I also sold a bigger print (100cm x 100 cm) to a lovely American couple from San Francisco. This one is from the same series that I brought to Beijing.

Just last night, I was also able to sell another print from my Linga Bar exhibition to a couple from New Zealand who are now based in Singapore.

The unprecedented sales from my artworks and the amount of connection I have made to different people from all walks of life through my art has been truly amazing, especially during the time that you would least expect it - and I am so much thankful for this gift!

The sun really shines in September!

saffron memories

Last year, during this time, I opened my exhibition at the McDermott Gallery by the Passage called Saffron Spirit. Though it was my second exhibition in Cambodia, this exhibit paved the way for countless other exhibitions- at the Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor, Raffles Hotel Le royal in Phnom Penh, UP Gallery in Iloilo and iideas Gallery in Manila. And soon in Beijing for the Olympic exhibition. I can't believe it's been a year already!



the exhibition...



with an installation... it was hell removing the threads when the work was bought and shipped to Denmark



another one with an installation. It was a good thing the buyer opted to have the stickers instead of shipping the water bottles to Japan!


My first and most favorite piece. I did the embroidery with my wife, that's why it was hard to part with it. Now in Singapore in the home of a very good friend, Christy.


The first piece bought on the opening night.


Now in Washington DC

Now in Singapore

One of the two pieces bought by a good friend now hanging in her New York loft

The other piece which is now in New York

Now in Malaysia

This work is now in the Hotel Be

Bought by a designer friend - Eric Raisina from Madagascar which now hangs in his office.

This was one which I brought to the Philippines for a show. This is now with my former boss, Susan Salcedo who is now based in Singapore. She flew in last year from Manila with her friend Ellen to see the show in Cambodia!

This one now resides in the office of my Spanish boss and very dear friend Alfredo Roca who is now an honorary Filipino... he has supported me greatly during my struggling years in Manila and he flew in especially for my exhibition opening in Iloilo.

This piece was bought at the Red Gallery exhibition by a US-based Filipino.

Out of 34 works, I only have around a dozen left, and will be saying goodbye to two more tomorrow when I ship them off to China... sigh... it's difficult parting with something you have poured your heart, sweat and soul into. That's why I refuse to put their titles here. I only want to remember the places where they are now...

a flame in beijing...

Let me tell you a secret... I have always longed and achingly wished to be in the olympics... either as the next Mark Spitz, Greg Louganis or Jessie Owens, or perhaps even as a mere part of benchwarmers in the football or baseball team from a certain South American country.

That started in Seoul. Then came Barcelona. Atlanta. Sydney. and then Athens. Several olympics after, the furthest I could hit would be my couch, watching the games on television. I even settled to at least, have the chance to watch it live or even just to breathe the same air as Juan Antonio Samaranch (former olympic committee president, is he still even alive?). But turns out the olympics is just a mere dream for someone like me.

Until now.

A couple of weeks ago, I came across an email inviting me to show my works at the Visions of Asia exhibition at the Beijing Olympics. The exhibition will be at the Beijing Capital Library this coming August and will present a whole load of artists from around the globe to represent the diversity exemplified by the olympiad. They found me and my work online through the Mcdermott Gallery website that represents me here in Cambodia. The owner, John, emailed them to contact me directly. The Ministry of Culture chose two of my works from my Saffron Spirit series which I exhibited in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Manila...



Well, there is a glimmer of hope on my olympic sized dream afterall...

Now, it all boils down to finding enough funds for the trip (only the shipment of my artworks are handled by the exhibitor) and of course, the visa.

Wish me luck.