Cambodia Mag

Philosophy and working techniques

Transported by the faces of his models and the pigments that dress them, Damien Dufresne sublimates and reveals these men. Patient and observer, he visualizes his colors before applying them and melting them in the skin of the models. A masterful work carried out thanks to his experiences in makeup, hairdressing and photography, but also, by a deep talent multiplied whose artist is animated.
Between pigmented creamy base, professional eyeshadows and use of airbrush, faces are animated by the association of colors and the birth of textures equally singular from each other. Darkness, brightness, penumbra or brightness, Damien Dufresne invites the world into his universe and all this, with colors.

«I am not proud of my work, I am especially happy to be able to do it,» says the artist.

He goes on to say, "Now I’m having fun. My professional career was more makeup, now it’s not really work, it’s something I really like."

His inspirations: Between street encounters and moods

From a painter from Battambang to a car driver in Siem Reap or a fruit juice seller, Damien Dufresne has discovered these living pearls at the corners of the Cambodian streets.

After some exchanges and a time of adaptation, these young men had the opportunity to pose in front of his camera and to be sublimated by his fingers of unique creator. But the humanity and humility of the artist would say that it is he who is grateful to have at the end of his brushes and behind his goal these young men. A collaborative work experience that reveals a spirit of creativity, novelty and natural charisma.
«These are boys who have never had makeup and sometimes they give me something they would never have given without makeup,» says Damien Dufresne.
Far from imposing a pose or an emotion, Damien paints the faces and bodies of the models leaving them the freedom to be themselves. A moment of creation where the naturalness of the model takes over creating, a talent in the raw state without artifice, as if the camera no longer existed.

"My inspiration is the model. I work without knowing what I’m going to do in advance, I don’t do it," he says.

Without a real concept, this artist is constantly led by improvisation. No possible barriers on his way, the images speak to him and make sense for him. And, his moods of the day will guide him to the choice of light or rather to that of darkness and determine the colors that will dress the faces and bodies of the models.
Sonan has proven itself as a model. Now assistant to the artist in Siem Reap, passionate and determined, he also trained in makeup.

"I always wanted to be a model. I am very happy to be able to work alongside Damien and learn from his experience," says Sonan.
An intimate event bringing together about twenty admirers of the artist’s work, the public was able to exchange with him and admire his works.

"Damien Dufresne’s works are a real spectacle for the eyes: a harmonious blend of bright and sometimes dark colors, contrasts of light, inspiring and touching Khmer faces. Originality, creativity and sumptuousness are the watchwords of this exhibition!" said Julia Pasquier-Desvignes, a young French woman impressed by the artist’s talent.

With his camera to immortalize every moment and his brushes to sublimate every face and body, no matter where it is, here or there, Damien Dufresne gives birth to works always so unique, human and revealing beauties without artifices. ■