JAKARTA, 19 June 2023 – Today, the ASEAN Gallery – based in the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC) in Jakarta, Indonesia – received a new artwork from Cambodian artist Srun Rida, the fifth resident artist for the ASEAN Artists Residency Programme (AARP).
Named Image in Blue, the artwork was officially handed over by the artist to the Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr Kao Kim Hourn as witnessed by Vice Chairman of C asean Pisanu Suvanajata. The artwork is the 118th piece in the ASEAN Gallery collection,
“To date, AARP has had four alumni. In 2019, we had a Thai female artist. Last year, after two years of COVID-19 lockdown, we introduced you to three other artists – from Malaysia, the Philippines, and Viet Nam. This year, AARP proudly presents another promising young artist, this time from Cambodia, Mr Srun Rida,” said Dr Kao in his opening remarks.
Dr Kao thanked ThaiBev for their continuous support in sustaining ASEC’s art and culture outreach programme. “Such a partnership shows that both public and private stakeholders can definitely work together for the benefit of the ASEAN Community building process. I hope such successful partnership can entice more of the private sector to work with the ASEAN Secretariat and to contribute to similar outreach programmes,’’ he added.
“C asean believes that art is a universal language of mankind, it can bind people from various backgrounds together. It is my honour and great pleasure to be here to support ASEC’s vision towards community building through arts and culture,” said Suvanajata in his remarks.
In his talk, Srun emphasised the importance of programmes such as the AARP to support emerging artists from the region. “I thank the AARP for providing me the chance to be here today. As a resident artist, this is a grand honour to be here. This brings me another step closer to show my art, ASEAN art, to the world,” he stated.
Launched in 2018, the AARP aims to nurture the region’s young and upcoming artists. The end-in-mind is for these artists to explore the ASEAN identity and deepen mutual understanding across diverse regional cultures. Through the programme, ASEC hopes to be able to play a role in developing the careers of young artists from the region.
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