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Elegy: Reflections on Angkor

Called the Ansel Adams of Angkor, John McDermott and his famed photographs of the ancient temples are staples of the Siem Reap arts scene.  His recent Kickstarter campaign has received overwhelming public support to see the second addition of his art book  Elegy: Reflections on Angkor hit the shelves …

photo-mainPhotograph by John McDermott

When John McDermott came to Cambodia in 1995, Siem Reap and the temples of Angkor were very different places. Living in Bangkok, the talented photographer had the foresight to come to Cambodia with the intention photographing the ancient temples during a total solar eclipse.

“At that time perhaps 3,000 people came to Angkor  Wat to see the eclipse, a miniscule number when one considers the thousands who visit the temple complex daily today,”he said in a recent ArtSlant article.

Since then Siem Reap has exploded as a tourist destination — in 2013, the province welcomed more than 2.23 million visitors, up more than 8 per cent from previous year.

With the ever increasing number of visitors clogging the temple complex and ongoing restorations necessitating scaffolding, the unobstructed pictures that John captured nearly 20 years ag0 would no be longer possible.

Elegy: Reflections on Angkor is a hardcover art book, with over 100 photographs that capture his historic and artistic portrait of the temples. Out of print for two years, McDermott is looking to a Kickstarter campaign to help print a second edition of Elegy — one that includes new photographs, never before published photos. In only three days his project has garnered more than $45,000 in support, an astounding show for the humble artist.

“I really thought our goal was a far stretch but worthy of a good effort. But I never had any idea that we would do this much in a record amount of time,” he said, crediting much of the support to his hard working wife Narisara and the McDermott Gallery staff.

John’s galleries in town are a must-see for art lovers who come to Siem Reap and this book is bound to be a welcome addition for visitors looking to take an idealistic piece of the temples home!

Advanced copies of the book are going fast, so secure yours today by making a contribution to this worthwhile campaign.

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