Artist Statement
Somara Chea
Seven Days in Angkor Wat
I was born in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Growing up in a country that is full of strong art and complex architecture history by intelligent ancestors, inspiring me to tell the story of Cambodian culture. I have always had passion for architectural work. In this way, the audience may enter in the space of my artwork. After coming into college, she started to explore on printmaking. My work gives the audience opportunities for involvement with the presence of each day of the week symbolized in Cambodian art history and culture. The octagon shape of the art installation reflects the tower of the Angkor-Wat Temple. These temples are monuments of Cambodia’s heritage, a place where art, religion and architecture come together telling the story of Cambodia. The choice of fabric represents the ancient Cambodian traditional wear. Each tapestry is representative of a day of the week and the color symbolizes the meaning of that day within Cambodian tradition. Each detail and line of the Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia is carved in linoleum. Angkor Wat Temple is framed by the Cambodian national flower, romdoul, that appears on Khmer ancient temple. The Temple appears on the Cambodian flag, reflective of its national significance. I have designed the details of each flower that represents each day of the week. The patterns of the flowers show the process of repetition and reflection for the audience. The different floral designs emphasize the complex beauty of the rumdoul flower. I chose Gold as the color symbolizing royalty in Cambodian culture. It is also the color of the rumdoul flower itself.
