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Our lecturer

The lecture

Denise Heywood is a lecturer, author, journalist and photographer. She has lived in France, America and, most recently, Cambodia, where she worked as a journalist for three years. 

Now based in London, she has lectured all over Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia and Europe for many educational and other organisations.

Her writings include a book on the Buddhist temples of Laos, Ancient Luang Prabang and articles for many art, literary and travel publications.  She appears on BBC radio, leads art tours to Southeast Asia and France and lectures on cruise ships sailing throughout Asia.

Denise is a member of The Association of Southeast Asian Studies in the United Kingdom, Asia House, The Anglo-Indonesian Society, The Cambodian Society in the United Kingdom, La Societe des Amis de Champa and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

The Art of Laos: From Historic Buddhist Temples to Modern Silkweaving

This lecture will explore the sacred architecture of Laos, particularly in Luang Prabang, in the mist shrouded mountains of the north. The natural setting of the town, in an amphitheatre of steep, verdant mountains, enhances its jewel-like identity. In this remote spot there are 32 Buddhist temples, some dating from the 16th century, superbly gilded and frescoed, with tiered roofs that sweep to the ground. The ornate shrines and golden Buddhas found in Laos are unique to this artistic culture.

Inhabited mostly by saffron robed monks, Luang Prabang is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This status extends to the French colonial architecture of the town as well. The lecture examines the French legacy of elegant wooden houses with Lao motifs, built during the late 19th century, which blended harmoniously with Lao secular architectural traditions, a unique fusion of East-West influences.

Finally, there is reference to contemporary art, especially the shimmering silkweaving, once the preserve of the Lao monarchy, and an ancient, traditional craft of intricate designs and exceptional beauty that has recently been revived.