Master An Sok (1944-2006) and his family
After the death of Master An Sok, his son Mr. An Sitha with his younger brothers continues their fathers' work. Master An Sok transferred his knowledge to his children so they could continue in their art.
This is not individual work, they are working as a family group. In Phnom Penh Mr. An Sitha is teaching at the fine arts school to transfer this knowledge to the students.
They produce many kinds of high quality products for performance and worship: masks for the giant, monkey, comedy, classical dance crowns, etc.
The family members are: Mr. An Sitha is born in 1964 Mr. An Sithor is five years younger. Mr. An Sichan is eight years younger. Mr. An Tola is nine years younger. Ms. An Sophea is eighteen years younger, the youngest of the family.
Kunthea Embroidery and Mask Making, 012 454 352 Address : 25 E2, Street 178, Sk. Chhey Chhumneas, Kh. Daunpenh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
The family is now also in Siem Riep: Pich Reamker Shop, Cambodia Masks, Sam Chanmony Roth, Group 03 TeaksenTboung, Kokchork Commune, Siem Riep District, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia
From the Ramayana exhibition at the Pernakan Museum in Singapore 2010, 3 images from the collections of the Asian Civilizations Museum.
Mask of Vali (Bali), King of Kishkindha, 1999-2000, Made at the workshop of Mr. An Sok, Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2000-01205
Masks of the Demon Army, 1999-2000, Made at the workshop of Mr. An Sok, Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2000-01203, 01212, 01214, 01207, 01211, 01216, 01217, 01206
These masks are part of a set that was made with paper, using a traditional papier mache technique. The forms are made by layering paper in moulds. When dry, they are decorated with lacquer relief-work motifs which are painted and gilded.
The masks were traditionally made for use in the lakhaoun khaul or all-male dance-drama, that was revived at the court of King An Doung during the mid 19th century and again during the reign of King Norodom (1859-1904). This tradition was revived yet again in the 1980s by the late Mr. An Sok whose family survived the Khmer Rouge. Commissions such as this help to sustain living traditions. It is thought that this set of masks could well be the most comprehensive set to have been made by Mr. An Sok who passed away in 2006.
http://www.reyum.org/media/english_articles/2000_03_01/2000_03_01.html