He is very happy to display his pictures because it means that he is helping to promote painting activities and art in Vientiane and helping inspire Lao children to pick up a paintbrush someday.

Soukhaseum is hosting the exhibition because he wants to encourage more people to take a deeper interest in painting and see the importance of art and culture and ensure its preservation for future generati ons, as well as supporting disadvantaged children in Laos.

Soukhaseum was born on August 1, 1947, at Vat Chan village, Chanthabouly district, Vientiane. He lived in London, England, for a long time, but at the moment he is visiting his birthplace in Laos.

He recalls that he started to practice painting when he was young, producing hundreds of pictures, and many people liked his artworks.

After finishing secondary school, he studied art at the Fine Art School in Vientiane from 1962-1966.

When he finished his studies there, he was asked to teach at the school due to the lack of art teachers at the time. After teaching there for several years, he moved to continue on with higher level studies at a technical college in Vientiane.

However, during his time studying at the college, as an active student he thought that the course was not enough for him because he felt that he was not fulfilling his artistic potential.

So, he eagerly planned to study abroad at a higher level, moved to England and studied at the Chelsea School of Art and Design, in London, in 1972. Studying there made him feel strongly that the move was right in order to fulfill his artistic development, and finally he received a Diploma in Art and Design with distinction.

When he finished his studies he made a decision to live in England because he enjoyed living aboard even though he still loved his motherland.

He started to participate in painting exhibitions in 1963 and painting competitions in 1966 and won numerous prizes. After that he held and took part in many art exhibitions in England and Laos.

After leaving Laos in 1972, he returned to visit his birthplace in Vientiane for the first time in 1990.

Since 1990, he has been back to visit Laos several times. On each occasion, he has produced several artworks, which he left in Laos with the thought that one day when he held an exhibition he could use them and also allow other artists to look at them and gain inspiration.

Besides the current exhibition, there was an auction that lasted from January 26 to February 2. The winner was Kiengkham Rasasombath with a bid of US$800.

Some 40 percent of the money from the auction went towards helping children from the northern provinces, and 60 percent went to the maintenance of the exhibition venue and supporting local artists.

Soukhaseum said that he is very happy to visit Laos again and hold another exhibition. Years ago, he hosted many exhibitions but after that he did not host an exhibition in Laos for a long time. So, this is a special exhibition because he has prepared various colourful paintings to go on display.

“I think it is important to share my passion and expertise in art among the people of Laos. I also feel the need to share the skills and knowledge I have gained.”

“Using myself as an example, I wish to inspire other artists as to see what can be achieved if you put your mind, heart and soul into something. From my experience, you have to work extremely hard in order to succeed and be successful in what you do.”

“As an example, if you don’t look after a flower by giving it the water and nutrients it needs, then it will never grow to be beautiful in return,” he said.

The Deputy Director of Maison de la Culture de Ban Naxay or Cultural Exhibition House of Naxay village, Ms Xayprani Chanthalangsy said that Soukhaseum is an active professional artist who works hard at his painting and when he holds exhibitions, the funds raised go towards supporting other Lao artists and helping local children.

She congratulated him on his great success in his profession and urged Vientiane residents to visit the exhibition which is currently on show at the Cultural Exhibition House of Naxay, on Sisangvone Road, Naxay village, Xaysettha district, which runs from January 26 to February 16.