Passion Drives the Riverside Painter
He displays his artworks by the Riverside near the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, surrounded by tourist boats. Photo: Te Chhaysinh
- By Te Chhaysinh
- April 16, 2023 2:00 PM
PHNOM PENH – Leav Kimchort has devoted his life to painting even though it doesn’t provide much income.
He displays his artworks by the Riverside near the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, surrounded by tourist boats. He goes there three or four times a month at weekends and on special occasions.
Kimchort, who is aged about 50 and has 30 years’ experience as an artist, sits alone wearing old clothes, a cap and glasses.
He learned to paint as a child and says he enjoys painting when other people paint, especially his dad, who inspired him the most.
Hand painting is no longer popular and the days when artists could make a good living from painting advertisements are gone. People prefer computer designs which take less time, can be printed and are cheaper. Even monks prefers digital portraits.
Previously, billboards had been painted by artists and had special meaning that people could recognize with just a glance, he said.
These were different from modern billboards.
He wants to offer tourists the chance to see the beautiful Khmer country with its beautiful culture in his paintings.
He said the styles of painting are different from one country to another and he wants tourists to see our style. However, he was worried about the style and the skills that the previous generation had not passed on.
He doesn’t want anyone to say we are copying from another country and leaving a legacy. And he says he can teach students who can’t afford to go to school or who want to know the basics of painting before entering school.
Leav Kimchort has devoted his life to painting even though it doesn’t provide much income. Photo: Te Chhaysinh
Not everyone is capable of painting a beautiful piece, he said. It takes passion, talent and creativity to paint a meaningful piece.
However, he said a beautiful piece is determined by individual ideas, and everyone has different creativity. Some people can enjoy painting for fun.
“Painting requires the heart and brain and talent to work together to produce a beautiful piece of art,” he says.
He keeps doing what he loves even if it does not pay enough to live on. He works another job to support himself.
Kimchort doesn’t push people to buy his paintings. He only needs a chance to display them.
“I try to improve the quality of the paintings and show them,” he said. “We can't get someone to like our product but if we have a good painting, they will come and buy it.
“I don’t know how many paintings I have done so far. All I know is that each of the paintings comes from my passion and my heart.”
While speaking, a customer approaches with a piece of paper to consult Kimchort on the design of a gateway to his bungalow resort on Koh Sdach.
Despite many companies offering a modern look, Mony, the resort owner, prefers Kimchort's design and paintings for his business.
Hand painting produced a beautiful result that captured expression and emotion. That’s why he wanted a painting and design done by hand rather than by computer.
Kimchort said he wants to promote talented people and these people can’t be judged by their looks.
