Lao Art - Lao Heritage Foundation

Lao Artists Lao Art

We are honored and priviledged to be partnering with masters in traditional lao music.

Bounseung Synanonh (left) began playing the kaen (bamboo mouth organ), at the age of 12 in Savannakhet, Laos. Considered one of the world's best, Master Synanonh recorded an album titled 'Bamboo Voices' under the World Music Institute label under the direction of Terry Miller, a world-renowned ethnomusicologist. He also performed for President Reagan at the White House in 1987 in a cultural event. Now in his 60's, he still performs energetically and teaches his art to a young generation of students. See his videos from the 2007 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

>>more on the kaen

Thongtanh Souvannaphanh (right) began playing the saw, a bowed lute similar to the Chinese Erhu and Gaohu, at approximately the age of six. He performed in the royal court of Luang Prabang before emigrating to the US in 1969. He has performed at the Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Now in his 70's and retired from broadcasting, he devotes his time to preserving and promoting Lao art, music, and literature. He gives saw instruction two nights a week and still performs occassionally. >>more on the saw

Masters Synanonh and Souvannapanh recently performed at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

We are also honored to partner with Tiao (Prince) Nithakhong Somsanith [http://www.princesomsanith.com], whose work embodies the essence of Lao identity. He is world-renowned as master of the ancient art of gold-thread embroidery, as well as an extraordinary painter of Lao Buddhist temples, monks, ethnic tribal attire, and daily life. He is also accomplished in decorating temples with colored lacquer & gold leaves. Finally, he is masterful at ceremonial flower arrangement, such as the making of the 'pa kwan' and 'katong'. He works tirelessly to educate Lao communities in three continents on these arts to ensure that they are preserved.

By helping Laotians abroad and at home to appreciate their common heritage, Prince Somsanith acts as a cultural bridge between those who emigrated to Europe & America as refugees of the Vietnam War and those who stayed behind. Through his work, he not only helps to preserve the cultural heritage of his war-torn country, but also to promote peace, reconciliation, and understanding.

We are also very proud to sponsor Nor Sanavongsay [http://www.nawdsign.com], an extremely talented multimedia artist whose passion is to digitally animate Lao folklore, namely the story of Xieng Mieng. Xieng Mieng is a witty fable character, well-loved by the Lao for many centuries. Though published in books in recent years, Xieng Mieng stories are usually passed down orally from generation to generation. Now, Nor's project will enrich the stories by adding sound and visual effects, thus not only preserving the stories but also making them especially appealing to the young audience.