Kumnooh: Cambodia arts for week commencing 12 August 2025
Greetings:
Drop Cloth: a few things you might not know about
Colin Grafton. These days widely known in Cambodia as a harmonica player and singer, Colin was present in Phnom Penh from November 1972 to April 1975, during which time he was taking photographs. An exhibition of his photos from that period are to be on display at Preah Srey Içanavarman Museum – Sosoro, opening on Saturday 16 and running through to August 31(closed on Mondays). Additionally, gallery talks are scheduled for Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 at 4 pm. Colin says: “I see these questions are about artists in the fields of visual or performing arts, so I shall try to keep music (which is my favourite art) out of it. It might be difficult.”
An artist or an aspect of the arts that you think is overrated
For some reason, the iconic Andy Warhol springs to mind. I never watched any of his films (all the way through) so I may be biased. But then I never watched the Empire State Building for eight hours either. Andy made a few statements, but that’s it for me. Nowadays, the more that technology is involved at the expense of human endeavour in art, the less interested I am.
An artist or an aspect of the arts that you think is underrated
Difficult question. Are we talking about on an international basis? I’m a bit out of touch with that. Cambodia has some brilliant artists in the fields of visual art – Sopheap Pich, Thang Sothea, the Battambang Romcheik 5 painters – and dance -Sophiline, the New Cambodian Artists, the Buppha Devi dancers – and they are getting some attention on the world stage… but not enough. I almost forgot photographers! Kim Hak and Philong Sovan, and of course Steve Porte.
An early art memory
Thank you for asking that question… (a ploy used for Q&A when you can’t think of a good answer). Apart from Bill and Ben the Flowerpot Men on TV, I think of painting. I developed an early appreciation of the Impressionists, probably because that’s how I saw the world as a child until my teacher realised I needed glasses. After that came Surrealism (Salvador Dali) and Hieronymous Bosch. A bit dark. I tried painting. My art teacher’s comment: “Hmm, meaty”.
The last thing you had to eat
An easy one: egg-and-shallot fried rice with Japanese rice bran radish pickles, sautéed chicken breast with Australian fake Colman’s mustard, miso soup with wakame seaweed and aburaage fried tofu, and tomato and cucumber salad.
How did you get your start?
Start what? In the art world? Well, I’m not an artist, but I fell into photography in Laos 55 years ago when I bought a secondhand Olympus Pen from an American housewife for $5. It was my first good camera. A second start, I suppose, came when I returned to Cambodia with a load of old photos and found people were interested in them.
When did you first come to / first leave Cambodia?
Due to recent research, I now know that I first entered the Khmer Republic on 28th November 1972, and then I left on 7th April 1975.
A book or movie you keep going back to
I’m a bit of a movie freak but I don’t get enough time to go back much. A few favourites (I can’t choose one) are “Withnail and I”, “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead”, “Kwaidan” and “Tampopo” (Japanese), “Dreamchild” and “The Taming of the Shrew” (Liz Taylor/Richard Burton version). I can always go back to those. Books… again I don’t go back much. I used to read a lot of fiction. “Steppenwolf” and Herman Hesse made a big impression. “The Quiet American” (it’s what you might expect?), “The Honorary Consul” and “Travels With My Aunt” (I was in Paraguay for three years) from Graham Greene. And definitely Norman Lewis’s “A Dragon Apparent”.
What languages do you speak?
Linguistically, I am a train wreck, which is most unfortunate. It could have made life much easier and more interesting, but I don’t have a knack for languages. So my English is not bad (even if they can’t understand me in London) and I have smatterings of French and Spanish and smutterings of Japanese, Lao and Khmer.
A country that you would like to visit
Many beginning with”M”: Mali, Madagascar & Mongolia. Mainly for the Music.
Something people might be surprised to know about you
I have (very diluted) Portuguese royal family blood in my veins. My brother found that out.
A question from the last participant: What is a significant turning point in your life and how has it altered its trajectory?
There were four. Leaving England to come to Asia in 1969 (the Plan was for one year); being in Cambodia in 1975 (led me to Japan); meeting my wife in 1999; and an elderly dancer in Japan in 2007 (brought me back here).
Event listings:
Opening Saturday 16 at Preah Srey Içanavarman Museum – Sosoro in the Temporary Exhibition Hall is Cambodia : November 28, 1972-April 7, 1975, a panoramic retrospective of photographs taken by Colin Grafton in Cambodia between 1972 and 1975, with special focus on the gemstone area of Pailin and the Khmer classical dance troupe, and a backdrop of life in the city of Phnom Penh during the civil war. Until August 31, 9:00-18:00, closed Mondays. Gallery talks will be held on August 23 and 24 at 4 pm.
Coming on August 23 at The Box Office: Comedy in Cambodia presents a standup comedy showcase. 7.30 pm.
More info
Ongoing….
Exhibitions:
Blue Art Hub (Siem Reap)
Self-Punishment for Life, a new exhibition by Nget Chanpenh. “Across 13 paintings rendered entirely in black and orange, he invites us on a journey in two acts: a somber descent into self-destruction (Paintings 1–6), where male figures dressed in orange garb are swallowed by black voids; a gradual reemergence (Paintings 8–13), where black silhouettes rise against radiant orange backdrops, like shadows at sunset.” Until August 10.
More info
The Gallerist
Rolling exhibitions of mostly Cambodian artists. Currently on display is work by Nou Sary.
More info
Institut Francais
A photographic exhibition, Facing the Khmer Rouge – the French Embassy stuck in the collapse of Phnom Penh in April/May 1975. Until August 22.
More info
Meta House
Crash and Bloom, an exhibition of paintings by Emily Marques. “The title lends itself to her love of nature and her broad spectrum of artwork that focuses on the masses of flowers clamouring for the sun and waves that crash amongst themselves.”
More info
MiMü
Mini-Museum of Contemporary Art at Meta House features research, knowledge sharing, workshops, and visual presentations through various media, showcasing videos, prints, installations, and fine arts through interactive events and live performances. Currently on display are paintings by Svay Ken. “Svay Ken’s paintings illustrate scenes from everyday life in Cambodia that are often charged with the presence of unsettling forces beyond the picture frame.”
More info
Plantation
Souvenir de Myope, an exhibition of paintings by Roma (Romain Garzonio). “17 abstract paintings and 4 sculptures—shaped by the softened contours of his own myopic vision.” Until September 7.
More info
Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor (Siem Reap)
Harmony, a new show by Morn Chear and Nak Noy with TRIBE Cambodia curated by Nat Di-Maggio.
More info
The River Gallery (Siem Reap)
Exhibition by Colors of Cambodia Collective featuring Hour Soben, Thy Channarak,
Sorm Narath, Loun Lon, Sophany Sor, Sophanin Sor, Bill Gentry, Son Kosal, Set Soeng
and Julia Haw.
More info
Romchiek 5 Art Space
Battambang contemporary art studio. Rolling exhibitions. Media: Le Petit Journal (FR)(June 2025)
Silapak Trotchaek Pneik / YK Art House
Double Realities, a new series by Srun Rida. Until 14 July. Media: Cambodianess
More info
Space Four Zero
Art gallery and vinyl lounge featuring prints, paintings, vintage posters, pop art, books, CDs and rare vinyl, collectables and groovy gifts. Open daily at new premises at #25 Street 240 near Street 19 (by The Shop and Red Apron)
More info
Sra’Art
apART, an exhibition of paintings by the Kinza Lena in memory of the late Ender Erbek. Until July 21.
More info
Stairwell Gallery
“French-Cambodian artist and activist Adana Mam Legros uses art to explore Cambodia’s layered history and the emotional weight of its past. Her work reflects personal memories of
growing up during political unrest, while addressing the broader psychological impact
of Cambodia’s collective trauma.”
More info
Tribe Cambodia (Siem Reap)
Reopened in their new location, 655 Hup Guan Street. Media: Kiripost
More info
Regular events, classes, sessions:
N o w h e r e Art Studio (relocated to Maloop) offers More info
No Frame Party hosts weekend art workshops in a variety of forms at venues around Phnom Penh.
Life Drawing Phnom Penh – Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6.30pm, at Station 350.
More Flamingos present art workshops on Tuesday evenings from 6.30 pm at WILD.
More info
Thursdays to Sundays at K’Atelier – art classes for all levels of experience.
More info
Traditional shadow art performance by Sovanna Phum Arts, every Friday from 5 pm at The Box Office/Speakeasy Theatre.
A weekly class in life drawing for kids with Anastasia at Pteah Chas Community.
More info
Khmer Architecture Tours conducts Sunday architecture tours in Phnom Penh to promote the understanding of modern architecture in Cambodia, focusing on buildings erected after independence in 1953, described as ‘New Khmer Architecture’, while setting these in the historical context of Phnom Penh. Here is the schedule for January – June 2025.
Kumnooh was established in May 2013 as a sister publication to LengPleng.com, the online music magazine for Cambodia, to provide basically a gig guide for the wider arts, covering art galleries, literature, dance, cinema, photography and now comedy.
Perhaps you would consider becoming a Friend of Kumnooh, where we ask venues, artists and/or individuals to show their support by making a small monetary contribution (12 months for $75, six months for $40 or three months for $25) to keep the lights on and to increase our coverage with articles and mini-profiles. In return you receive a boost in promotion, including a non-Facebook web page on our site for direct contact with the dedicated arts audience. Queries by return email – fabianhipp@kumnooh.com.
For a more rock’n’roll view of Phnom Penh and the wider Cambodian music scene, please check out our sister publication lengpleng.com, the long running live music gig guide.
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See you about…
Fabian Hipp
Kumnooh
fabianhipp@kumnooh.com
Department of Mutual Support: Friends of LengPleng (and Kumnooh too)
Crossing over from our sister site LengPleng are supporters YK Art House and Space Four Zero. For less than 6,000 riel a week you too could have your venue/business promoted deep into the arts audience; or you might just like to support the work being done by these two entities who trawl Facebook so you don’t have to. For more information: fabianhipp@kumnooh.com / gigs@lengpleng.com, or bail up Scoddy wherever you see him.
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