Greetings:
Drop Cloth – a few things you may not know about
Fatima Shehata. Fatima is a Phnom Penh-based poet, comedian, and co-organiser this Thursday night of Rhythm and Rhyme for Palestine, a benefit concert to be held at YK Art House / Bong Bonlai with a wide array of spoken word and musical contributions from the Phnom Penh community.
Is there an artist or an aspect of the arts that you think is overrated?
I think art is so subjective so it’s hard for me to pinpoint something as overrated. Art is in the eye of the beholder! I just might not be the intended target audience.
Is there an artist or an aspect of the arts that you think is underrated?
think Arabic calligraphy is beautiful and is not particularly seen as “Art”. In Egypt the most talented calligraphers are making your standard street signs and it’s so beautiful it could be in a museum – but in a way it’s sublime that it is a living art not hidden away in a stuffy room!
An early art memory?
Finger painting with the contents of the pantry because my dad was focusing on his thesis and wasn’t really watching four year old me
The last thing you had to eat?
Coconut jelly from the Yay on the corner of Sihanouk and 63! A hidden gem of Phnom Penh!
Where did you study your art?
I dabble in a lot of art forms, I did a lot of painting and woodblock printing in high school, and wrote a lot for fun. But I never really studied art formally. I have been lucky to be able to perform and write poetry and comedy in Cambodia with the many great performers and groups, and really refine my art as a result.
When did you first come to Cambodia?
I came here on a one year contract in 2016, in the typical style of long term expats. And I never left!
A book or movie you keep going back to?
I really love the magical world of Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki and the soundtrack by Joe Hisashi. There’s something so magical about it that is timeless.
What languages do you speak?
I speak Arabic, English, French, Khmer and have passable Spanish. And then I know random phrases in a few other languages just because
A country that you would like to visit?
I would love to visit Uzbekistan- the architecture looks beautiful, just stunning.
Something people might be surprised to know about you?
I know how to sing the Indonesian national anthem just because I kept going to so many government meetings on a work assignment. It’s very catchy!
What advice would you give to a young artist starting out?
Don’t worry about making good art. That judgement of good or bad can kill your enjoyment of it. And find a creative community!
A question from the last participant: what is Art?
I think Art is anything that tells or interprets a story or transmits information and data in some way. I think as a species we crave meaning and so even the earliest art (think cave paintings or the ancient temples and tombs of Ancient Egypt or the temples of Angkor) were trying to tell stories! Stories about what we value, how we wish to live our lives, who we connect with and even what we hope life will be like after death.
Event listings:
Tuesday 16 Meta House presents Saving Cham Culture, a multi-media group exhibition about Cambodian Muslims. “a unique collaboration between Cham artists, scholars and researchers, Cambodian filmmaker Sao Sopheak, US photographer Steve Porte, and the Meta House filmmakers David Brown (Australia) and Nico Mesterharm (Germany). We’ll exhibit photography, paintings, traditional silk and a selection of videos.” From 6 pm.
More info
Wednesday 17 at The Box Office, Comedy in Cambodia presents the improvised show Stand-up Unscripted at 7.30 pm.
More info
On Thursday 18, YK Art House / Bong Bonlai present Rhythm & Rhyme for Palestine, featuring spoken word, music and an auction/raffle. From 7 pm. Tickets $5.
More info
Also on Thursday 18, Institut francais presents a performance by the MeDha Women Drummers. “MeDha is revolutionizing the cultural landscape and breaking traditional barriers with their electrifying performances. The troupe celebrates Cambodia’s rich heritage by breathing new life into traditional Khmer instruments, while also championing gender equality in the performing arts. Their dynamic fusion of percussion and dance showcases the incredible talent and resilience of Cambodian women, inspiring a new generation to chase their dreams without limits.” $5/$3 entry
More info
Art for Kep has announced a multi-disciplinary artist talent contest – check here for details.
The Black Box Theatre at Java TTP is closing, with Creative Generation to move to Friends Futures Factory. But there’s one final event – an open stage on September 28 from 5 pm.
More info
Ongoing….
Exhibitions:
The Gallerist
Rolling exhibitions of mostly Cambodian artists. Currently on display is work by Chhim Sothy.
More info
GAATO Cafe des Arts
Magic in the Air: The Yantra Kite Collection, featuring 30 handmade and handpainted kites by Yann Defond. Until October 5.
More info
Meta House
Whether I’m There, Or Not, a pop-up exhibition by Christopher Bryce Morris. “Christopher Bryce Morris is a Los Angeles-born interdisciplinary artist who made Cambodia his art laboratory for the past decade. His work, in its many forms, is an endless dissection of identity and social anatomy. Where a mapping the self always an unfamiliar journey.”
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
Human Canvas: Portraits of Identity, a solo photography exhibition by Joaquin Barata. Exhibition runs until October 19.
More info
Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor (Siem Reap)
Harmony, a 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
Tribe Cambodia (Siem Reap)
Reopened in their new location, 655 Hup Guan Street. Media: Kiripost
More info
Regular events, classes, sessions:
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.
Send a ‘subscribe’ email to fabianhipp@kumnooh.com to receive Kumnooh in your inbox every Tuesday lunchtime.
Are we missing something? Let us know at fabianhipp@kumnooh.com.
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.
Kumnooh 