Reconstructing the Past & the Present, featuring the work of four talented Cambodian women, will run from January 9 to March 5, at SNA Arts Management. Supplied
The art community of Phnom Penh are witnessing the capital’s latest extraordinary gathering of creativity and storytelling in the group exhibition Reconstructing the Past & the Present.
This event, featuring four talented Cambodian women, is on show from January 9 to March 5, at SNA Arts Management, in Chbar Ampov.
Through their unique and deeply personal artworks, these artists bring to life stories of resilience, memory and the changing landscapes of Cambodia.
The exhibition, organized by SNA Arts Management, highlights the works of Kaeu Sreypeou, Leng Kimsreang, Sao Sreymao and Yim Maline, all of whom delve into the themes of history, family, urban development and environmental challenges.
“Using mediums ranging from painting to sculpture, each artist presents a distinct perspective on the interplay between Cambodia’s past and present,” explained organiser Chum Chanveasna.
Sreypeou, the first female artist from Cambodia’s Cham Muslim community, presents five acrylic paintings inspired by stories passed down from her mother, a survivor of the Khmer Rouge regime.
“Her work reflects on the impact of these memories on her post-Khmer Rouge generation, capturing both the pain and the resilience of her family’s history,” said Chanveasna.
Sreypeou, 26, from Kampong Chhnang province, participated in the workshop “Celebrating the 72nd Human Rights Day” with many artists in Cambodia at Phare Ponleu Selpak, Battambang, organised by the United Nations Human Rights in Cambodia (2020).
Sreypeou participated in two group exhibitions “Voices” and “Speak Out Sisters” at Meta House (2024).
Recently, she completed 30 pages acrylic painting based on a true story from a genocide survivor, prepared by a group of students from NUS.
Kimsreang’s contributions take the form of three captivating sculptures made from shattered tempered glass sourced from Phnom Penh construction sites.
These pieces symbolise the juxtaposition of old and new architecture in Cambodia, offering a narrative of fragility and strength.
“Her ongoing Rebuild series reflects a poetic reconstruction of what has been lost,” said Chanveasna.
Kimsreang, 27, took Contemporary Art class at Sa Sa Art Projects. She usually works with collage and sculpture and often comments on the realities of society, culture and the urban psyche.
Sreymao brings a new dimension to her art with a collection of 16 sculptures made of wire and white cement, adorned with her photographs of Cambodia’s northern and southern regions.
“The works highlight environmental degradation and the disappearing landscapes of rural communities,” said the organiser.
By blending personal memories with striking visual narratives, Sreymao constructs a poignant reflection on the fragility of ecosystems.
Sreymao, 38, practices multidisciplinary includes painting, photography, digital drawing, sculpture and performance.
Her works explore personal expression and memories, as well as the change of physical and psychological landscapes of Cambodian urban and rural communities.
Her solo exhibitions include Breathing Thread (Pteas Chas, Phnom Penh, 2023), Samput Sor (SilapakTrotchaekPneik, Phnom Penh, 2022), and Under the Water (Mirage Contemporary Art Space, Siem Reap, 2019; Sa Sa Art Projects, Phnom Penh, 2018).
Recent group exhibitions and performances include Between the Land and Water (with Neak Sophal, Kampong Chhnang, 2023), All That Surrounds Us (16 Albermarle Project Space, Sydney, 2023), Shaking Land and Water (Jendela Visual Art Space, Singapore, 2022), and PressureI (F3, Phnom Penh, 2021).
Maline’s The Color of Yesterday series, created during her artists’ residency in Japan, explores the contrast between tropical and cold climates.
Incorporating elements like recycled fabrics and soft sculptures, her pieces delve into the impact of climate change and the interconnectedness of nature and human activity.
“Her art transcends landscapes, incorporating meditations on everyday life and the beauty of the unseen,” explained Chanveasna.
Maline earned a BA in Fine Art from École Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Caen, France (2010), and studied at Phare PonleuSelpak (1995–2003).
Her work reflects the social consciousness of post-war Cambodia, exploring loss and ambiguity through cultural and social symbols.
Her drawings and sculptures reconstruct personal and social memories, commemorating the natural environment lost to war and economic policies.
This exhibition also marks another milestone for SNA Arts Management, a pioneering agency which is focused on promoting contemporary Cambodian artists.
Founder Chanveasna expressed her excitement about the gallery’s latest exhibition.
“I live to share my passion for the arts with others by showing the work of Cambodian visual artists to people the world over,” she said.
Visitors can explore the exhibition Tuesdays to Saturdays from 1pm to 5, with morning viewings available by appointment.
Through Reconstructing the Past & the Present, the featured artists not only pay homage to Cambodia’s history but also shine a light on its future, addressing global issues like climate change and urban transformation.
This exhibition is an unmissable opportunity to experience the depth and diversity of Cambodian contemporary art.
