Greetings:
and apologies for the delay this week
Event listings:
Friday 16 at Sojourner House in Siem Reap is a night of poetry, story telling and live music, featuring JB the Punk Rock Poet, Richard John Currie, author of Burning Braincells in Cambodia, and Rod Tolentino. From 7 pm.
More info
Saturday 17 at Distortion Dive Bar, JB the Punk Rock Poet presents a poetry night, including an open stage for other poets to perform. From 7.30 pm.
More info
Sunday 18, at 2 pm and 4 pm, last performances of Heritages by The Last Stage. “Exploring the circulation of language, cultural influences and artistic expressions between Cambodia and France.” A 45 minute show performed at the former Banque d’Indochine near SOSORO Museum.
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Coming soon – October 22 to November 22 – is Photo Phnom Penh Festival 2026: At Home in the World. “For this 17th edition, Photo Phnom Penh reaffirms its commitment to contemporary and historical photography while strengthening its role as a platform for artistic exchange. Organised in conjunction with the 20th Francophonie Summit, which will be held this year in Cambodia, the festival will bring together emerging and established artists, curators, and professionals from around the world, particularly from the Francophone community.” The festival will include exhibitions, public installations, screenings, workshops, portfolio reviews, lectures, and professional networking events.
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Opening on October 24 at Java Tuol Kork is 1000 Ghost Houses, an exhibition by Dana Langlois. “A photographic series made in Sihanoukville in early 2024, exploring the city’s unfinished buildings and the communities living within them.”
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Coming to Meta House on October 27 is the opening of Back to Life – the Healing Power of Art, an exhibition by Ny Sreyroth. “In a context where gender-based violence is often hidden in silence, Cambodian artist Ny Sreyroth uses her work to make the unseen visible. A survivor herself, she transforms deeply personal experiences into striking visual narratives that speak of resilience, courage, and hope. Her art does not only raise awareness—it opens space for dialogue, connection, and healing.”
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Opening on October 30 at Motodop is Kingdom of Gold, an art exhibition and fundraiser by Tess Maloney. “It’s your chance to get a first look at Tess’ truly remarkable paintings, which capture Cambodian life through strikingly rich color, texture, and movement. From busy street scenes to quiet, intimate moments, her work rewards those keen for a close look.” Bassac Brass Quintet will perform from 6 pm.
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Department of Mutual Support: Friends of LengPleng (and Kumnooh too)
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.
Ongoing….
Exhibitions:
Bossbha’s House (Battambang)
Solo exhibition by artist Chea Sereyroth: , The Veil of Night. “Displaying the artworks which reflect on dreams which have been blossoming across the globe and floating through the universe while the dewdrops seem to bring moisture to a deep and peaceful slumber, accompanied by the lengthening journey.”
More info
Botanico
A Poiesis, a new exhibition by artist Naro Ao. “A Poiesis is an immersive journey through longing, belonging, grief, restraint and transformation — expressed through paintings paired with the artist’s own poetry. It doesn’t try to answer or explain life, but lingers within its contradictions: love and loss, hope and despair, intimacy and distance, individuality and community.” Until November 8.
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Galaxy Store (Siem Reap)
The Wisdom of the Space In Between, an exhibition of paintings by Amé Kunty.
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The Gallerist
Rolling exhibitions of mostly Cambodian artists. Currently showing works by Christian Develter. “His inspiration comes from a search not just for physical beauty but also for something of the spirit that embraces each one in our era of hyper celebrity. He uses a mixture of oils and acrylics to emphasize strong colors, bold shapes and focuses on the intensity of the model’s gaze.”
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Meta House
Voices Unstitched, an exhibition that “amplifies the voices of Cambodian female garment workers — women who form the backbone of the country’s economy, yet often face discrimination, harassment, unsafe working conditions and job insecurity. Led by Cambodian artist Ny Sreyroth, journalist Sokunthea Hang and filmmaker Sao Sopheak, the women-led project creates safe spaces for garment workers to express their experiences through poetry, visual art, film and performance.”
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 The Meta House Collection, an exhibition of 22 works by Cambodian and international contemporary artists, created between 2000–2025, exploring memory, identity, and transformation in Cambodia.
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Plantation
Skins and Memories, a solo exhibition by Kris Marko, a French-Serbian artist based in Phnom Penh. “Skins & Memories explores the relationship between time, memory and matter: what disappears, what we preserve, what we unconsciously transform, and what unexpectedly returns.”
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Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor (Siem Reap)
Current artist in residence is DinArt.
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The River Gallery (Siem Reap)
Apres la pluie (After the rain), a group exhibition bringing together French and Cambodian artists based in Siem Reap. “Through painting, photography and sculpture, the artists explore the relationship between water, nature and resilience, reflecting on the moment after the rain as a time of transformation, renewal and hope.” Until November 4.
More info
Romchiek 5 Art Space
Battambang contemporary art studio. Rolling exhibitions. Media: Le Petit Journal (FR)(June 2025)
R5 Showroom Phnom Penh
Escaping the Grid, a duo exhibition of works by watercolourist Mil Chankrim and abstract painter Nget Chanpenh. “Together, these works reveal two conditions of contemporary existence: the external grid that confines us and the internal grid that fragments the self. Escaping the Grid becomes both a political and psychological act — a search for wholeness in a world that surveils, divides, and dissolves human identity.”
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Silapak Trotchaek Pneik / YK Art House
Other Words for Being by artist Tor Vutha (Lion Tor).
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SNA Arts Management
The Root, an exhibition of paintings by Pen Robit. Media: Cambodgemag (FR)
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Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra
Reflections of my Father(land) by Ponleu. Media: Cambodianess
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Sosoro – Preah Srey Içanavarman Museum
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
Black and Gold, by Norwyn, “inviting us to explore the beauty found within contrasts between shadow and brilliance.”
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Tribe Cambodia (Siem Reap)
Permanent showroom for works of Nak Noy.
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Vann Molyvann House
The Living Structures Artist Grants Exhibition, showcasing new works by the five 2026 artist grant recipients: Srun Rida, Hul Kanha, Mech Sereyrath, Meng Vengkeng, and Sou Oudom. “Developed through the Living Structures Artist Grants programme, these works explore Cambodia’s architectural heritage, modernity, memory, and place through five distinct artistic perspectives.”
More info
Regular events, classes, sessions:
N o w h e r e Art Studio (relocated to Maloop) occasional workshops.
No Frame Party hosts weekend art workshops in a variety of forms at venues around Phnom Penh.
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
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 October 2026 – February 2027.
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
