The rattan-like woven vine quality of Kvay Samnang’s deer, peacock and cow – now on display at Borey Chankiri by Urbanland – gives the sculptures an organic appearance, but the copper metal they are cast from gives a definite permanence and presence in the room that impresses.
Samnang joins 11 other well-known Cambodian artists to present their work to leading property developer Urbanland’s A space in between exhibition, which begins on June 12 at its sales offices in Borey Chankiri next to National Road 2.
“We are delighted to present the A space in between collective exhibition by 11 Cambodian artists – Chan Dany, Ket Monnyreak, Khvay Samnang, Lim Sokchanlina, Prak Dalin, Hean Rangsey, Nataly Lee, Roeun Sokhom, Pen Robit, Thang Sothea and Lino Vuth,” organizers said in a statement.
“The works presented are paintings, photographs, sculptures and installations. Each artist presents individual ideas, ways of living, seeing and thinking,” he said.
Khvay Samnang was born in the province of Svay Rieng in southeastern Cambodia and was inspired by the natural environment where he grew up. His art focuses on the humanitarian and ecological impacts of colonialism and urbanization.
“This exhibition presents works of art from several different mediums, including sculptures, photographs and especially art related to architecture. In addition, the gallery of the exhibition is the sales area for luxury houses for Cambodians,” says Samnang.
he said holding the A space in between exhibition around the buildings and houses of Borey Chankiri is a new format for contemporary art in Cambodia.
“I have my art – a copper peacock, deer and cow – on display in the Borey garden. I also have three photographs from a photo series titled Popil in collaboration with two other artists, Sok Sovanndin and Mut Pharan,” Samnang told the Post.
PoPil by Khvay Samnang, digital C-Print, 80 x 120 cm. PROVIDED
The Borey Chankiri exhibition is a place where people can see the combination of art, environment and buildings come together to facilitate a modern lifestyle, organizers say.
“The purpose of this exhibition is to provide visitors with the opportunity to experience an enhanced and ambitious lifestyle filled with modern architecture, nature and art,” says Odom Rithy of Urbanland’s marketing team.
“You will have a rare opportunity to meet and network with these artists in one place and discuss with them how they use art to speak about the Cambodian society they aspire to live in and the causes they want promote,” he said.
Battambang-born artist Nataly Lee, who holds a liberal arts degree from the University of New England and a bachelor of arts degree from Griffith University, presents photos from the exhibition that feature a bird’s eye view of an island off the coast of Australia.
Photographs by Battambang-born artist Nataly Lee present a birds-eye view of an island in Australia. PROVIDED
“This series was taken on Kangaroo Island, Australia, before wildfires swept through a third of the island in 2019, destroying everything in their path,” says Nataly, designer and photographer.
“For me, these images speak of time and space and the fragility – but also the resilience – of nature. I’m thrilled to be part of this exhibition alongside artists I admire,” she says.
She says she believes beauty is everywhere and although sometimes hidden, with the right combination of perspective, composition, compassion and sensitivity, it can always be found.
Through her photographs, Nataly hopes to inspire a deeper connection and appreciation for the things around us, so people can live richer, more meaningful lives.
“This exhibition is unique in that the work is not presented in a traditional gallery, but rather in the context of a neighborhood and homes, which I believe is where the art comes to life. “, she says.
Another young artist, Hean Rangsey from Kratie Province – who was also a photographer at the Post for several years – has three photographs in the exhibition hanging at the Borey Chankiri Sales Gallery.
Shaved, leaving only one name by Hean Rangsey. PROVIDED
Rangsey is interested in the study and observation of humanity, the environment, nature and society.
“I am very happy to participate in this exhibition because it is only the second time that I can present my work. The series is called Shaved to the ground, leaving only a name. It is an honor for me to have my works exhibited with more experienced artists whom I consider to be mentors,” says Rangsey.
He says that the mountains of Cambodia he photographed were written in poems, articles and songs describing their size, height, strength and beauty and that the history and names of the mountains were compiled by our Khmer ancestors in the form of tales transmitted from one generation to another.
“As a child, I used to read and dream to see these scenes stories fresh in my eyes and they stuck in my head. While traveling through the highland provinces, I came across these sights, but for some of the mountains along the route, I saw that they had been quietly drilled, dug, dug up and destroyed, at least in part,” Rangsey says.
The other artists presented in the A space in between exhibition include:
Vuth Lyno. A well-known artist in Phnom Penh who holds post-graduate degrees in Art History from New York University in the United States and in International Development from RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia.
Thang Sothea began his career as an architect before going into art. Sothea’s sculptures and installations are made using materials and processes intentionally associated with a sense of freedom to explore architecture and art, he says.
Roun Sokhom is a leading figure in Battambang’s vibrant artistic community. He paints mainly in watercolors and acrylics and does live painting performances and installations. He also featured old buildings as subjects for oil paintings.
Robit Pen, from Phare Ponleu Selpak, says he tries to represent the past, present and future socio-political fabric of Cambodia. He says he draws inspiration from Cambodian cultural iconography as well as ongoing societal discourse.
Lim Sokchanlina works with documentary, conceptual and experimental photography, video and installation to examine social, political, geopolitical and cultural changes in Cambodia. Wrapped Future II is the outdoor installation that Lina built for the exhibition.
Ket Monnyreak, a Phnom Penh-based designer and illustrator, has works that mostly feature sharp lines, solid shapes and vibrant colors as well as dreamlike composition. Phnom Penh’s daily activities, simple architecture and intricate composition are his main inspirations and specialties.
Chan Dany is known for reinterpreting ancient Khmer cultural forms and practices and uses knowledge of codified forms and techniques ranging from painting to sewing and making collages with new materials.
Prak Dalin is an artist and architect who uses natural materials as well as building materials to create sculptures and installations that resemble architectural structures and thematically focus on the impact of urban development in Phnom Penh.
She says her works are inspired by nature and the process of transmitting things in visual art and installation. She experiments with different mediums and focuses on the unconventional aspects of her materials.
“We hope the exhibition will be a place where art lovers and collectors of all types come together and learn about the artists, their work and the world of art collecting in general,” organizers said in a statement. Press release.
The exhibition opens to the public on June 12, 2022 and runs until July 10, 2022.
Check out their Facebook event page: bit.ly/UrbanlandArt Or visit their website: https://urbanlandasia.com/
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