An Exhibition Puts Cambodia’s Artists in the Limelight for the Francophonie

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The idea was clear and simple: to organize an art exhibition during the Summit of the Francophonie, which would feature some of ...

PHNOM PENH—The idea was clear and simple: to organize an art exhibition during the Summit of the Francophonie, which would feature some of Cambodia’s leading artists, and reflect the brilliance and vitality of the art scene in the country.

And also, said Marina Pok of the Anicca Foundation, an exhibition that would be at a central location, easy to access for families and people in Phnom Penh wishing to see the works of some of today’s artists.

Making this happen will have taken her and the many people who helped months to set up. The result is an exhibition inaugurated during an official ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 12 that features the work of around 25 artists including Leang Seckon, Thang Sothea, Im Pesey, Kong Vollak, Kaeu Sreypeou, and French guest artist Louise Covillas.

Taking place on the campus of the Royal University of Fine Arts (RUFA) next to the National Museum in Phnom Penh, the event includes the exhibition “Indigenous Sacred Art” of Cambodia’s Ratanakiri province, which is held with the support of the Henry Luce Foundation.

There also is a collector’s room featuring the works of the late artist Svay Ken and those of the group Romcheik Pram. And on Sunday, Nov. 15, teachers of RUFA are holding a demonstration on the university’s etching press for visitors young and old.

The exhibition has been planned to present Cambodian artists during the Francophonie summit, which is attended by representatives of countries whose history has involved France. But, Pok said, this is also for the people of Phnom Penh.

Pok, who is of French-Cambodian heritage, has been organizing art events for years in the country and is well-known among artists. The most difficult part of this project, she said, turned out to be finding a location that would be accessible to people attending the summit but also to families in the city.

“I had all these artists already committed,” she said. “So, the challenge was to find a location…We have been really blessed that the Royal University of…

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