Greetings:
Drop Cloth … a few things you might not know about
Koem Keo Socheat. “I love my name. I can see something behind that, and combined together with my name is how I am.” Her current exhibition at Plantation, The Art Always Comes First, is her third solo show, and combines new work with some retrospective pieces.
What do you feel is important about art?
For me art is emotionally simple, is connected to action, the activities that we are doing. The first thing to do is look at myself – what should I do? An especially important thing for me being in the present, what should I do, how can I do, what is the intention behind it, and the connection to everything around me.
I am interested in how the art is connected to the artist. When I look at the art and the artist I want to see if they are together or not. If they are together, they show the intention. This is what we learn from each other, how can the art have an impact on us? Sometimes it is positive or negative.
I do not say people should understand what I am doing, they can do and think what they want. Art is connected to everyone, the dharma, looking at nature, how people can stay together. People try to understand, and the first thing is about understanding themselves, so they can find peace together.
I create symbols. But always with intention behind, connected to dharma, to behaviour, to relationships, to culture, to tradition, to male/female. For me male and female, we are really together, two in one. I have a drawing with crocodiles representing the male and the water, and the female is the earth. They are together, water and earth. Find peace within ourselves and both can stay together very well. It connects to the Khmer culture also, since long ago, the women are always important. Who is the role model for the women?
An early art memory
When I began to learn about myself it was like waking up from sleeping. Starting to prepare what I should do, what I want to do.
The last thing you had to eat
I love this question. The last thing I had to eat was some salt. And then I have to drink water.
How did you get your start in art?
I studied art at the Royal University of Fine Arts for four years, I graduated in 2018. But I think four years was not enough, just a short time for me. I keep researching, not just in the class, everywhere. It will never end. I keep reading again and again, always finding something different.
When did you first leave Cambodia?
2023.
A book or movie you keep going back to
Every day is a book about myself. We are all connected to everything, and also connected to the people around us. I keep preparing myself, before I get the pencil, I see things happening around me.
What languages do you speak?
This is an interesting question for me, you will be surprised at my answer: the language that I speak is the chemistry language. Not far away from me, from you, from what we are talking now, what we are discussing now.
A country that you would like to visit
The country I would like to visit is the one that is farthest away from me.
Something people should know about you
I am a woman, a sister, and could be a mother. Because in here I am the sister and mother, not just sister or just mother.
What’s currently standing in the way of you achieving your biggest dream?
I know art is my duty, what I should do? Because we cannot change anyone, depending on their behaviour. I just look at myself, how can I share to the people around.
Event listings:
Open since yesterday at Plantation is The Art Always Comes First, an exhibition of new and older works by rising Cambodian artist Koem Keo Socheat (see Drop Cloth above). “She is not a commercial artist—her work is about ideas, culture, and emotion. She wants viewers to understand her art, not just look at it.” Until 14 December.
More info
On Thursday 23, Sra’Art celebrate their sixth anniversary with a night of art roulette. 6 pm. Media: Cambodgemag ; Phnom Penh Post
More info
Thursday 23 to Saturday 25 at The Box Office, Apple Tree Arts presents The Sins of the Father, a theatrical piece written and performed by Cat Isaacs – see Drop Cloth last week. Minimum age 16. 7.30 pm each night.
More info and tickets
On Friday 24, the French Institute presents a night of contemporary dance with Dalila Belaza (FR) at the Canadian International School of Phnom Penh.
More info
The Bong Bonlai/YK Art HouseDay Time Open Mic is returning to a regular monthly schedule starting Saturday 25. 4 pm start, with a special free introduction to the Phnom Penh Ukulele Circle from 3 pm for the ukulele curious.
On Sunday 26, the 15thMusica Felica choir charity concert, Living Hope, will be held at Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra.
For Halloween, October 30 and 31, LoKey Theater present The Haunted Theatre Mystery. Each experience lasts 30–45 minutes. Minimum age 16.
More info
November 1 at the Mini-Museum of Contemporary Art at Meta House is the opening of the Cambodians on Photographs: Faces Through Time exhibition, featuring works by Choun Sopheap, Steven Gargadennec, Colin Grafton, Dylan Maddux, Sharon May, Roland Neveu and Steve Porte, alongside images from the book Photography in Cambodia by Nicholas Coffill. Coffill will be signing copies of his book. From 6 pm.
More info
Starting in November, new Tuol Tom Pong venue The House of Jazz will be hosting a poetry night every third Wednesday of the month. Currently seeking a host and interested poets.
More info via email
Ongoing….
Exhibitions
Bophana Center
Alive, a new exhibition by Kim Hak, “a long-term photography project that brings memories attached to objects.”
More info
The Gallerist
Rolling exhibitions of mostly Cambodian artists. Currently on display is work by Takakazu Yamada.
More info
Meta House
Nature of Women, an exhibition by emerging Cambodian artists Billy S and Fia Ry, with contributions from Reaksa Bung (painting), Sao Sopheak (video), Yon Davy (dance), and Chan Vimean (text).
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 is Cambodians on Photographs: Faces Through Time, an exhibition featuring works by Choun Sopheap, Steven Gargadennec, Colin Grafton, Dylan Maddux, Sharon May, Roland Neveu and Steve Porte, alongside images from the book Photography in Cambodia by Nicholas Coffill.
More info
Plantation
The Art Always Comes First, an exhibition of new and older works by rising Cambodian artist Koem Keo Socheat (see Drop Cloth above). “She is not a commercial artist—her work is about ideas, culture, and emotion. She wants viewers to understand her art, not just look at it.”
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)
Sosoro – Preah Srey Içanavarman Museum
The current temporary exhibition is Into the Light: the retrieved painting of Phnom Penh’s Silver Pagoda, paintings rediscovered in the Preah Keo Morkot Church. Open daily (except Monday) from 9 am – 6 pm.
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
Nature’s Palette, a contemporary art exhibition by Emily Marques. “Explore nature’s rhythms of death, rebirth, chaos, and renewal through vibrant paintings that reflect resilience and harmony.” Thursday 9 Emily will present an artist talk and do some live painting.
Tribe Cambodia (Siem Reap)
Permanent showroom for works of Nak Noy.
More info
Regular events, classes, sessions:
N o w h e r e Art Studio (relocated to Maloop) occasional workshops.
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
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 