Greetings:
Drop Cloth: a few things you might not know about
Emily Marques, Phnom Penh-based American artist. Her latest exhibition of paintings, Crash and Bloom, opens from 6 pm next Monday 11 at Meta House.
An artist or an aspect of the arts that you think is overrated. Realism. I get it. It takes an extreme amount of talent and expertise to make a painting look so real it can be plucked off the canvas: however, there is so much more to art. Feelings are not picture perfect. Anger, love, acceptance and complacency are often wound up together in a beautiful chaos. Sometimes it is an ugly chaos. When painting, I will have an idea of what I want to paint and it always changes as I work through a piece. The chaos is what pushes artwork to completion, not the idea of perfect realism.
An artist or an aspect of the arts that you think is underrated. Hilma af Klint is an extraordinary abstract artist. It was a mere accident that I came across her work only a few years ago after looking further into abstractionism. Wassily Kandinsky and Paul Klee are some of those who are highlighted as the pioneers of the abstract art move yet Klint was exploring these ideas years before them. Her art was a blend of mysticism, anthropology and spiritualism.
An early art memory. My parents always wanted a big family and they succeeded. They have six daughters. Six! I come in at number five. My older sisters always had boyfriends that would come over and some, despite a break up, would become a forever part of our family. One such person was John Perry Kaly. He was studying to be an artist and would often draw and paint with my little sister and me. I must have been 8 or 9 when we were all busily creating our master pieces on the formica kitchen table. I created an abstract pattern with the water color kit for kids. John looked at it as if I painted a portion of the Sistine Chapel. He asked if he could have it, the ultimate compliment! Later, a few of my sisters and I went to his house to watch a movie, but before watching he showed everyone that he hung the picture on the wall. At that moment I knew I would always paint.
The last thing you had to eat. The last thing that I had to eat that was worthy of talking about was a crab bisque in Kep at Crab & Co. I can be a bit gluttonous when it comes to food. I also had the duck and chocolate lava cake. I have no regrets.
How did you get your start? Since I was young, I have always loved drawing, painting and making artsy stuff. I was able to foster my artistic passions by taking art classes throughout school, and drawing and painting classes in my early years at university. My painting took a backseat as I tried to figure out life and was only fully revived when I had the time and mind space in Cambodia. By joining the Phnom Penh Players I was involved in not only theatre but also set design. Later, I met other creatives such as Chhan Dina who became a huge support as I began to navigate my way through this new art world.
When did you first come to Cambodia? It’s a classic tale of a long term expat who didn’t think they were going to be a long term expat. Before moving to Cambodia I was working 60-70 hours a week running a couple of optical shops. During that time a friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer with a 50/50 chance of surviving (He made it!). During one of our late night talks he was recanting all of the incredible things he experienced and I realized that I was rarely doing anything creative. In late 2011 that all changed. I stepped off the plane without knowing all the real adventures that were about to unfold. My two year maximum plan has turned into me finding a home in this beautiful country.
A book or movie you keep going back to. Have you heard of the movie Cousins? Most people have not. There are many unexpected characters and a love story that gets me every time I watch it. The musical score, “The Blue Danube” by Johann Strauss II, is something I still listen to when I need a moment to myself.
What languages do you speak? I am a native English speaker and I know a little bit of Khmer but I am not a fluent speaker.
A country that you would like to visit. Oh there are so many! On the top of my list is Japan during cherry blossom season.
Something people might be surprised to know about you. From 2017-2019, I had the honor of being a member of the Apsaras, Cambodia’s first women’s Australian Football League team.
A question from the previous participant: What’s your favourite favourite thing and why? A new paintbrush. There is so much potential and so much to be done all at the same time. I think it as if multiple histories are about to be unlocked, a time stamp of my story through the potential brushstrokes.
Event listings:
On Tuesday 5 Meta House presents a screening of RE.BIRTH, a video compilation including
“historical short films about the re-opening of the Royal University of Fine and the development of Cambodia’s contemporary art scene in the early 2000s, video art pieces and early interviews with prominent Cambodian artists who have influenced the country’s art scene and gained recognition both locally and internationally.” 7.30 pm.
More info
On Saturday 9 Bong Bonlai / YK Art House are once again holding the Day Time Open Mic, all-ages friendly, for performers, readers and trickmasters of all stripes. One drink for each performer – sign up in advance and get a free taco. 3 – 5 pm.
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Also Saturday 9 at The Box Office, presented by Comedy in Cambodia, is Canadian-Filipino comic Ron Josol, along with Malaysian support act Papi Zak.
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Monday 11 at Meta House is the opening of 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.” From 6 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.
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The Gallerist
Rolling exhibitions of mostly Cambodian artists. Currently on display is work by Luna Kol.
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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.
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Meta House
The Fluffy Mood, an exhibition of handmade art rugs by Cambodian/French artist Va Chercher Bonheur.
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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.”
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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.”
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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Thursdays to Sundays at K’Atelier – art classes for all levels of experience.
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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 