A new exhibition at Rosewood Phnom Penh showcases 10 years of ‘Bonn Phum’ festival artwork to celebrate the Khmer New Year

Rosewood Phnom Penh is proud to join hands with Bonn Phum, Cambodia’s most prominent arts and culture festival, for a captivating exhibition that supports emerging young talents and celebrates Khmer New Year with an array of cultural traditions, music, and games.

Bonn Phum, meaning “village festival”, aims to celebrate the true spirit of Khmer New Year and help Cambodians reconnect with ancient ways of life, from religious ceremonies to traditional games, cultural dance, and music. Over the years, the roving festival has expanded and evolved into a popular 10-day event, attracting hundreds of thousands of locals and international visitors to enjoy delicious food, locally made products, performances, and contemporary artwork.

Since its establishment in 2014, Bonn Phum organizers have invited a young artist to create a set of key visual s each year inspired by local culture and the zodiac. Rosewood Phnom Penh Art Gallery is honored to display this diverse collection in its “Bonn Phum” exhibition, which will be on display until April 26, 2023. From a lively watercolor of Hanuman, the Monkey King, for the 2016 festival to a charming village dog sunbathing amid wooden Khmer houses in 2018, the varied artwork celebrates Cambodian culture and history while traversing a wide range of artistic styles.

“Witnessing Khmer traditions reinterpreted by the country’s imaginative young artists during Bonn Phum is an incredible experience for everyone who attends,” “As part of our commitment to supporting Cambodian culture, we are thrilled to share a retrospective of festival artwork, and we hope it inspires visitors to dive deeper into local traditions through the lens of its new generation.”

Daniel Simon, managing director of Rosewood Phnom Penh

One of the festival’s founders, KESORRR, was one of the first creatives to design key visuals for the event. The talented graphic designer, who has since become one of the country’s most renowned solo singer-songwriters, illustrated the temple in Bonn Phum’s logo.

More recently, Cambodian mural artist, illustrator, and graphic designer Elyna, known as “Kmeng Lyna”, fused c yberpunk elements and traditional Khmer artwork to create the festival’s vibrant 2022 ‘Year of the Tiger’ key visuals. Visitors will also have an opportunity to explore the colorful creations of Kakrana, a Cambodian artist known for watercolors that illuminate the beauty of Khmer art with a modern twist; Lina, aka Nanali, an illustrator who specializes in intricate digital art; Uddam Pen, a digital illustrator and comic artist; and Cambodian independent artist Kan Sereysopheak.

Moreover, Serey Sot, an illustrator better known as “Soben,” takes inspiration from traditional ceremonies, architecture, and culture in his artwork – merging local folklore and modern life to reflect how communities evolve. “Cambodia’s young artists have so much to offer the world today,” says Serey. “I’m grateful to the Bonn Phum festival and Rosewood Phnom Penh for providing an international platform for artists like me to share our work and how we view our culture and traditions with wider audiences.”

“Bonn Phum – 10 Years” will be open to the public from March 22 to April 26, 2023, at the Rosewood Phnom Penh Art Gallery on the hotel’s 35th floor, with a special opening celebration featuring traditional music and contemporary dance on March 31. The exhibition is free to the public and is open 24 hours daily.