Sothy branches out

Close-up detail from the painting, Pinaree and her Son, by Chhim Sothy
The artist, Chhim Sothy, giving an interview for local tv in front of his painting, Footprint History

Chhim Sothy, he of the friendly disposition, beaming smile and artistic talent aplenty, opened his latest solo exhibition tonight at the Chinese House to a large gathering. Titled New Musings and containing 19 acrylic paintings, all of which contained both an abstract and traditional mixture on each canvas. It's good to see him branching out though he finds it hard to shake off his traditional background, judging by these latest works, but that's fine as I love his traditional Buddhist artwork. I keep promising myself to get down to his gallery to see the full range of his work at first-hand. The paintings at Chinese House range in price from $400 to $1,100 and all but four of them were painted this year. The show was curated by Brad and Rattana Gordon, who also run the Teo+Namfah Gallery in Bangkok. It's on for another two weeks. In case you didn't know, the Chinese House is on Sisowath Quay opposite the container port and is a mix of Chinese and French colonial style, built in 1905. The art gallery is on the ground floor with a bar upstairs.

Another abstract with traditional characters, titled Hanuman & Ponaakay

This acrylic painting is titled 8 Directions, by Chhim Sothy