SAMA, °1953, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
At the age of 12 he enrolled at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh where he received academic training from several Russian and Yugoslavian artists from 1965 until 1972. Upon his graduation in 1972, the government suggested that he go to France with a scholarship for one year. He completed his study at the Academy of Aix-en-Provence between 1972 and 1975.
Sama his oeuvre is inspired by a mixture of Oriental and more traditional artistic trends on the one hand, but on the other hand, he is also influenced by Western art and more specifically by the works of artists belonging to the so-called Catalan School. The artist uses various materials such as sand, marble and gold powder, rice paper, dead plaster, and finally acrylic paint. He dilutes his paint to such an extent that he can put it on the canvas without having to use a brush. Thus he obtains very subtle colours that leave one with the impression of watching an aquarelle.
Sama’s works are characterised by a certain amount of grandiosity, although they do not weigh one down. On the contrary, they radiate peacefulness and intangible immaterial symbolism. Through his paintings, Sama helps us to create our own world of feelings and emotions.
Exhibitions (selection)
You can find Sama's paintings in private collections in Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Italy, England, Scotland, Switserland, Russia, New Zealand and the United States.
2004:
Lineart, Flanders Expo, Ghent, Belgium - Art Gallery Artifex
Artmeeting 2004, Belfry of Bruges, Belgium - Art Gallery Artifex
Art Gallery Artifex, Bruges, Belgium
Castle of Trets, France
2003:
Lineart, Flanders Expo, Ghent, Belgium - Art Gallery Artifex
16th Festival Transméditarranée, Sainte-Tulle, France
Artmeeting 2003, Belfry of Bruges, Belgium - Art Gallery Artifex
Art Gallery Artifex, Bruges, Belgium
2002:
Lineart, Flanders Expo, Ghent, Belgium
Art Gallery Artifex, Bruges, Belgium
Gallery du Festival, Aix-en-Provence, France
Gallery Greenhouse II, KWaremont, Belgium
2001:
Lineart, Flanders Expo, Ghent, Belgium
Classic, Courtray, Belgium
Gallery Bon Ton, Helmond, Holland
Gallery du Festival, Aix-en-Provence, France
Gallery Greenhouse II, KWaremont, Belgium
Gallery Jaud, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
2000:
Lineart, Flanders Expo, Ghent, Belgium
Gallery Bon Ton, Helmond, Holland
Gallery du Festival, Aix-en-Provence, France
Gallery Greenhouse II, KWaremont, Belgium
Gallery Jaud, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
Gallery Cour Saint Pierre, Genève, Switserland
Art Gallery Casino, Oostende, Belgium
1999:
Lineart, Flanders Expo, Ghent, Belgium
Classic, Courtray, Belgium
Gallery du Festival, Aix-en-Provence, France
Gallery Needien, Neede, Holland
Gallery Claude Lemand, Paris, France
1998:
Lineart, Flanders Expo, Ghent, Belgium
Gallery Bon Ton, Helmond, Holland
Gallery du Festival, Aix-en-Provence, France
Foire d'Art Contemporain de Strassbourg, France
Gallery Greenhouse II, KWaremont, Belgium
Before 1998:
Gallery du Festival, Aix-en-Provence, France
Gallery Cour Saint Pierre, Genève, Switserland
Gallery De Vuyst, Lokeren, Belgium
Foundation Vasarély, Aix-en-Provence, FRance
Museum Vasarély, Gordes, France
Gallery Retrospective, San Diego, USA
Gallery Art Functionnel, Metz, France
Gallery Retrospectieve, Lajolla, USA ...
where Sama lived from 1979 till 1990
where Sama lives since 1990 together
with his wife and children