Cambodia loans rare Khmer sculptures to National Gallery of Australia

ABC News | 29 Aug 2014

Photo: Standing Buddha (7th century, Kampong Speu, Cambodia) is among works on loan to the National Gallery of Australia from the National Museum of Cambodia. (Supplied: NGA)

Map: Canberra 2600

Three rare Khmer sculptures have gone on display in Canberra as part of a cultural exchange between the National Museum of Cambodia and National Gallery of Australia.

The sculptures were produced in ancient Cambodia during a period spanning five centuries and are said to exemplify the strength and refinement of Khmer art. 

The works include a standing Buddha from the 7th century, one of the oldest Buddhist sculptures found in Cambodia.

Also on display are a 10th century carved lintel showing part of the Hindu creation story The Churning of the Sea of Milk, and a rare 12th-13th century representation of a girl in the form of the Buddhist goddess of wisdom Prajnaparamita.

The loan is part of a long-standing cultural exchange between the two museums to preserve traditional artworks including textiles, after much of Cambodia's art was destroyed during the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975-1979.

Gallery Director Ron Radford said it was an honour to display the ancient sculptures, which would be housed in the gallery's Southeast Asian Gallery long-term.

"It's the first time the Royal Cambodian Government and the Museum of Cambodia have lent long-term loans to any nation," he said.

Photo: Churning of the Sea of Milk (Angkor period, 10th century, Svay Rieng, Cambodia). (Supplied: NGA) 

"We feel very privileged to have these long-term loans of sculpture and it just cements the long relationship we've had with the National Museum of Cambodia since 1992 when we had a large exhibition of Cambodian sculptures."

Mr Radford said Khmer masterpieces were greatly admired in South-East Asia. 

"There's something about the Cambodian empire in Angkor, the wonderful, complex, elaborate temple complexes and the sculptures are among the most magic in the whole of Asia and particularly the mainland of South-East Asia," he said.

"The loans of course are a substitute for buying works which may inadvertently be stolen or illicit because the Cambodian sculptures are the most highly sought after of all Asian cultures.

"We hold very few fine Khmer sculptures. This loan, from one of the world's great collections, transforms our ability to tell the story of mainland South-East Asian art."

Photo: Prajnaparamita as a child (late 12th-early 13th century, Angkor Thom, Angkor - Siem Reap - Cambodia). (Supplied: NGA)

The director-general of the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, Hab Touch, travelled to Canberra for the unveiling and said it was an exciting day. 

"These three pieces are small but very important pieces that we want to show in Australia," he said.

"I think this gallery is special so that is why we are very happy, very proud that our Khmer art and such important history is displayed here.

"Between the National Gallery and National Museum of Cambodia we have a long friendship, collaboration."