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Kumnooh: Cambodia arts for week commencing 25 August 2026 

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Greetings:

Event listings:

On Friday 28 at The Panthers Hut in Siem Reap is the latest Angkor Comedy show, featuring Apriel Powell (US). 
More info

Sunday 30, and the following Sundays until October 18, 2 pm and 4 pm, are 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.
More info

Also Sunday 30, from 6 pm at Noisy Chilli Taphouse, Comedy in Cambodia presents the Sunday Comedown open mic. 
More info

Opening on September 2 at Meta House is Women and Children First, an exhibition of photography by French street photographer Victor Boissel.
More info

Coming on September 3 to Rosewood Phnom Penh is Roots of the Village: Stories of Soil, Water, and Survival, an exhibition of paintings and sculpture by Chhan Dina.  “I work in vibrant oil and acrylic on canvas, and in ceramic mounted directly onto local mango wood; a tree deeply woven into Cambodian household economies and community life. These materials are not neutral; they carry the textures, colours, and histories of the places I depict.”   6 pm. 

Opening on September 4 under the auspices of SNA Arts Management is The Root, an exhibition of paintings by Pen Robit.  Media: Cambodgemag (FR)
More info

Also opening at WILD Phnom Penh on September 4 is a community exhibition curated by Jing Wang, To Phnom Penh With Love.  “[…] captures journeys of building new lives, finding community, embracing change, and eventually moving on. Each story is unique, yet together they reveal the many ways a city can shape us—and how, in turn, we leave a small part of ourselves behind.”  From 5.30 pm; until September 13. 

Department of Mutual Support: Friends of LengPleng (and Kumnooh too)
We welcome this week a new Friend of LengPleng/Kumnooh: Comedy in Cambodia.   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.  

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

Galaxy Store (Siem Reap)
The Wisdom of the Space In Between, an exhibition of paintings by Amé Kunty.  
More info

The Gallerist
Rolling exhibitions of mostly Cambodian artists.   Neighbour, an exhibition by ThunDina.  “Through vibrant colors and expressive brushstrokes, Neighbour […] reflects on Cambodia’s changing landscapes. iverbank erosion, environmental change, and urban development continue to transform communities, raising questions about memory, identity, and belonging.”  Until August 30. 
More info

Institut Francais
Spirit, Body and Land, by Khvay Samnang.  “From 2016 to 2026, Khvay Samnang traversed forests, borders, and communities to explore our relationship with the earth, with life, and with the sacred. Masks made from raw materials, performances in natural landscapes, and captivating videos—his work blends animism, ecological urgency, and the memory of bodies. This exhibition examines what colonization and globalization have fractured: the connection between humanity, nature, and the supernatural.”  Until September 26. 

Kep ArtBar
Reclamations, an exhibition of new artworks by Mary Volm.
More info

Meta House
Together: Zero Plastic presents “a project that explores the relationship between community, environmental responsibility, and plastic pollution through the arts. 
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. 
More info

Plantation
Manifest , an exhibition by Lena Kinza.  “Cambodia-based artist Lena Kinza explores the relationship between perception, transformation, and the ever-changing nature of reality. Working across a range of media—from traditional canvas to skin—Lena Kinza bridges classical artistic discipline with contemporary visual expression.”  Until end of September. 
More info

Pteah Chas / Shophouse Studio
Ponlork, a solo exhibition by Ly Sokvichea.  “Ponlok — the Khmer word for “sprout” — is both metaphor and guiding principle. Bringing together works made over several years, the exhibition traces an evolving journey rooted in cultural preservation, research, and creative reinterpretation: a slow unfurling of memory, heritage, and imagination.”  Media:  Khmerer
More info

Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor (Siem Reap)
Current artist in residence is DinArt. 
More info

The River Gallery (Siem Reap)
Green Season Reverie, a group exhibition of works by artists from Cambodia and around the world. 
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.” 
More info

Rosewood Phnom Penh
Reflection, an exhibition by Theo Vallier, in collaboration with Cambodian artists Yean Sokheng and Koeng Rithy. 
More info

Silapak Trotchaek Pneik / YK Art House
Other Words for Being by artist Tor Vutha (Lion Tor).   
More info

Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra
Reflections of my Father(land) by Ponleu.
More info

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
The Fluffy Ritournelle – Va Chercher Bonheur (Go Seek Happiness), an exhibition by Cambodian French artist Rosine, featuring handcrafted fibre artworks inspired by Cambodian iconography, folklore and everyday life. 
More info

Tacos Kokopelli
Ethereal Dreams, an exhibition of new paintings by Dallas Fellows. 
More info

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. 

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 December 2025 – March 2026. 

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

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Here’s a show for you – The Box Office relocates

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Taking steps forward as a venue in live music, theatre and comedy, is The Box Office.  A recent relocation from Street 244 across Wat Botum Park to Street 258 has allowed a re-visioning and expansion of the premises formerly occupied by Voodoo Boulevard.  I sat down with owner Paul Glew to discuss, among other things, business, beer, tourists, streets and the road ahead. 

“I’m excited about this year in many ways,” says Paul.  “We’re hoping to be a bit more vocal about what we’re doing.  We are now committed to music every Friday on the outside stage, undercover.  We’ll often have something on separately in the theatre, and we can run two events at once.  A few weeks ago we had Shining Hearts outside, quite loud, a full house, and we had a movie going on inside.  We’ve never had that luxury before.  At the old place we’d pipe the sound outside to where people were sitting and listening, but the room itself might be empty, which is frustrating for a performer.” 

So we can expect more regular live music shows at The Box Office?  “We’re trying out monthly residencies – Adam Marsland on Fridays in January, in February it’ll be Loopy Reggae for three weeks – this is the third year we’ve had them.  We’ve got The Lazy Drunks coming up.  For interested bands, the outside stage is fully equipped, including a drum kit.  11 pm is the neighbourhood cut-off for live music, but we’ll commit to a 10 o’clock curfew to maintain good relations.  So if you’re looking for gigs, we’re always looking for newer acts, particularly smaller bands. 

Aside from the outside space, the separate interior stage is suitable for concerts, theatre, comedy, even private film screenings.    “If an act wants to put on a private gig , we can put you in the inside room, with all the equipment, and you can put your own gig on, sell your own tickets.  We have options now to separate people out now, much better than we could at the old place.

“I love that inside room.  It’s so multi-functional.  We’re taking bookings nearly every other day now for private movie screenings – this afternoon we’ve got ten kids for a birthday party.  Last night we had a Wicked sing-along.  It was brilliant, there were some good singers.  It made it a very different experience. 

How is stand-up comedy adapting to the new location?  “Since October we’ve been having big international travelling comedians coming through, and they’ve all been telling their colleagues about it:  go to Asia, do Thailand, sure, but Cambodia have taken it up a level in production values.  The lights, the overheads, the projection.  So that’s getting us attention, and international comedians are approaching us directly, and not just the northern winter, we’ve got queries extending through May, June, July.   

“Our booking system has changed the game for us in a lot of ways, especially for theatre and comedy.  We now know in advance on the night how many seats we’re putting out, if we’re going to be turning people away, or if we really need to boost on a Wednesday afternoon to get more tickets sold.  We know we’re not going to sell all the tickets online, so we allow for walk-ins, figure out what space we need.” 

“We can also offer the same service for other venues – we already do that, selling tickets for comedy gigs in Siem Reap.  We’re hoping to expand that during this year: if you want to do a ticketed gig, whatever the location, The Box Office  can sell the tickets for you.” 

The regular schedule at The Box Office includes traditional shadow art performances by Sovanna Phum Arts on Fridays at 5 pm and the Stand-Up Unscripted improvised comedy nights on Wednesdays; from time to time there are Lo-Key Theatre Company productions including Lo-Stakes Showcase – check it all out at The Box Office website.

“The move has been genuinely positive,” says Paul.  “We’re meeting customers that we never knew existed, they come in and say we’ve been ordering from you all the time on Nham24, but we never visited because there was nowhere to sit.

“It’s not about just putting on a gig, it’s about giving people a performance.  You put the production values in there.  It’s something special.  You’ve decided to be here, here’s a show for you.”