honorable mention
ROBERT KEMP united states
title
Angkor Wat's Ongoing Restoration
I find the repairs themselves visually compelling, and encouraging evidence that this proud culture will not quit the constant effort to reclaim its heritage.
Because these temples display no painted surfaces, and the surrounding lush jungle is mostly a visual distraction, I prefer to use black and white photos to capture the work.
Photos in this series were taken at Angkor Wat temple, Preah Khan temple, Banteay Srei temple, and Banteay Samre temple in February 2023.
While I have shot many of the iconic locations of Europe, I am moved by smaller villages and the ordinary features of them; for example, family laundry hanging from lines outside ancient windows. My photos and artwork have appeared in galleries and exhibitions in Portland, Seattle and New Mexico.
I have used Canon, Panasonic, Leica and Sony cameras and lenses.
I have an abiding love of religious architecture, world history and paintings of all periods.
I live in the high mountain small town of Joseph, Oregon.
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entry description
The temple complex at Angkor Wat in Cambodia has been in near-constant repair and restoration throughout the past century, periods of war notwithstanding. The people of Cambodia are slowly reclaiming these wonders from the surrounding jungle where they were rediscovered in the 1860's. Some temples are much restored, others are left in an unrestored condition, with trees and vines growing through the stones. In any of the 70 temples here one can find freshly cleaned and restored stone carvings, timber bracing, and other work in progress.I find the repairs themselves visually compelling, and encouraging evidence that this proud culture will not quit the constant effort to reclaim its heritage.
Because these temples display no painted surfaces, and the surrounding lush jungle is mostly a visual distraction, I prefer to use black and white photos to capture the work.
Photos in this series were taken at Angkor Wat temple, Preah Khan temple, Banteay Srei temple, and Banteay Samre temple in February 2023.
about the photographer
I am a painter and graphic designer as well as a lifelong amateur photographer. My photos focus on travel photography, street photography, and architecture, the older the better. I have taken thousands of shots in most countries in Western Europe and Western US states over 5 decades, and recently visited Bangkok and Angkor Wat, Cambodia for the first time. I usually convert my photos to black and white, and I will sometimes merge art and photos into collages to make complex statements.While I have shot many of the iconic locations of Europe, I am moved by smaller villages and the ordinary features of them; for example, family laundry hanging from lines outside ancient windows. My photos and artwork have appeared in galleries and exhibitions in Portland, Seattle and New Mexico.
I have used Canon, Panasonic, Leica and Sony cameras and lenses.
I have an abiding love of religious architecture, world history and paintings of all periods.
I live in the high mountain small town of Joseph, Oregon.
back to gallery