the ruins of angkor wat, cambodia

Sandwiched between ancient roots and future prospects, Cambodia dances a line of tranquility before the gathering storms of transformation. Throughout time, the people of what is now Cambodia have battled nature and invaders. More successful taming the monsoons, the Khmer learned how to conserve and channel precious rainfall, exponentially increasing their crop yields and catapulting their economy far beyond that of its neighbors. Because of its own resourcefulness, greedy neighbors became invaders and the tiny country saw its borders shrink and change like the tides.

Whether conquered or abused by neighbors or nature, the people of Cambodia sought refuge in religion. The two dominant religions of the last millennium, Buddhism and Hinduism took deep root in the hearts and landscape of Cambodia. Most famous and impressive are the Ruins of Angkor Wat where dozens of sacred sites reflect the devotion and perseverance of the people.

Today as the residents of Sien Reap buzz about on motor scooters, foreign cars and trucks, change still comes slowly. Five-star resorts line the boulevard that leads to Angkor Wat and what is left of these magnificent ruins. But despite the busloads of tourists engorged before the sites, the magic and majesty of these crumbling ruins cannot be diminished. Wandering through portals and sanctuaries where giant tree roots grow around huge stone facades, one drifts back to a time when man and his faith lived in harmony.

My experience painting in the ruins instilled me with a sense of urgency and prompted me to work from dawn till dusk. Climbing narrow stone stairways into the sky, I stopped atop the temples to allow the weight of the stone and struggle to dictate how I would paint. Inside temples where a thousand years ago people performed deeply spiritual practices, I participated in my visual form of prayer. Inspired by the magnitude of my surroundings, I painted until my fingers became hard with callus and the curious temple guards returned home.