Virginia Woolf and the Lighthouse, 1992, oil pastel on paper 76 x 55 (pictured above) is an early work that was initially exhibited in my first solo show at Australian Galleries, Melbourne, in 1992. The exhibition focused on the creative lives of three writers: Virginia Woolf, Dorothy Parker and Zelda Fitzgerald.
Since then the drawing (now in a private collection) has rarely seen the
light of day. However, it has just been granted a new lease on life in an
entirely different context. Christopher Minko from the Cambodian-based band
KROM has selected the work as the basis for the cover art of the group's latest
album (layout by Anya Minko):
As described on their Facebook Page, KROM is: 'a band in Cambodia, based in Phnom Penh, with a unique blend of Delta blues sound with traditional Khmer. KROM - elusive, exclusive and reclusive'.
As described on their Facebook Page, KROM is: 'a band in Cambodia, based in Phnom Penh, with a unique blend of Delta blues sound with traditional Khmer. KROM - elusive, exclusive and reclusive'.
The 12-track KROM album Mekong Delta
Blues is out now on the Musik and Film label and is available online for
digital purchase through Amazon and iTunes. The Amazon link, which also features an insightful
review of the album by J. Newman, is here:
KROM comprises Christopher Minko (guitar, co-songwriter, vocals) sisters Sophia Sophia Chamroeun (lead vocals, co-songwriter, Khmer lyrics) and Sopheak Chamroeun (lead and harmony vocals) Jimmy Baeck on slide guitar, sax and accordion and Mao Sokleap on keyboards. The band is entirely
self-funded and, as Christopher Minko has stated, they walk a complex path. At times their wide-ranging
music touches on the dark side – especially in regard to social issues
that need to be addressed (for example, the human slavery that is still widespread in Cambodia).
KROM - Songs from the Noir and the Mekong Heart, a documentary about the band, is soon to be released. Made as a labour
of love by Tim Purdie and Bunhom Chhorn, it is the subject of an episode of ABC television’s Australian Story. Christopher tells me
the movie will also be doing the film festival circuit in Melbourne this year – an
update on this is promised once the details of dates, times and venues are
confirmed.
Meanwhile, three teasers from the film can be viewed on You Tube:
Meanwhile, three teasers from the film can be viewed on You Tube:
For further information, Christopher Minko/KROM's Facebook Page is here:
https://mobile.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001272020782&tsid=0.4106789075303823&source=typeahead
https://mobile.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001272020782&tsid=0.4106789075303823&source=typeahead