The Art of Cambodia and Vietnam

This two-lecture Special Interest Morning will focus on Cambodia and Vietnam’s artistic heritage. The Cambodian temple complex at Angkor, built in the 12th century, is the largest religious monument in the world, a recreation on earth of the Hindu cosmos, covered with exquisite carvings. Vietnam’s architectural legacy of French colonialism with its superb French opera houses and belle epoque villas, cathedrals and post offices designed by Gustave Eiffel will be discussed together with the present-day artistic life of these two vibrant nations.

About: Denise Heywood

Denise Heywood is an author, lecturer, photographer and journalist. She worked in Cambodia in the 1990s and has been a scholar of Southeast Asian art ever since. Her books include one on the Buddhist temples of Laos, Ancient Luang Prabang and Laos, also in French, and Cambodian Dance Celebration of the Gods, with a foreword by the daughter of King Sihanouk. Denise also lectures for the University of London School of Oriental and African Studies on their post-graduate Asian Art Course and has also lectured for the V&A, Madingley Hall (University of Cambridge), the British Museum, the Royal Society for Asian Affairs, Asia House, the National Trust, the Royal Geographical Society and lectured worldwide for universities, museums, colleges, art institutions, literary societies and travel organisations. She writes for art, literary and travel publications and has appeared on television and radio. She has led cultural tours to Southeast Asia and France for the Royal Academy, the Art Fund, Asia House and many more and lectures on cruise ships.