Rosewood Phnom Penh presents Khmer Renaissance, an art exhibition by FONKi and Ranon Phal

“Rosewood Phnom Penh is delighted to support the growing Cambodian art scene, from upcoming artists to established and recognized talents,” “Our exhibition space and public areas offer an array of amazing venues for local Cambodians and guests from overseas to view a wide selection of Cambodian art which all encompass our A Sense of Place philosophy.”

Michael Parker, managing director of Rosewood Phnom Penh

The exhibition will be on display and evolving until January 31, 2020, featuring collaborations with other artists such as augmented reality Japanese artist Kenichiro.

Based on their own personal experience with Cambodia, this new body of work demonstrates FONKi and Ranon Phal’s desire to bring forward their cultural roots and common love for the Kingdom of Wonders.

“Khmer Renaissance” is a contemporary pictorial echo of this new era in the country and the world. It is a plunged in. A reflection of Cambodian its people from different generations, background and social classes, the old versus s the new, the streets, ancient Khmer culture and heritage --; giving them a playful new life while creating new stories, triggering the audience’s imagination and subjective point of view on today’s Cambodia.

Ranon spent five years studying classical techniques at the prestigious centennial Academy of Fine Arts of Brera in Milan. Since his return a year ago, and his own “renaissance” -- surviving and beating leukemia 10 years ago – this is the first time his past and new work is exhibited in a gallery setting. A young master of the ink brush, Ranon spontaneously draws his astonishing lines with no sketches, showing his confidence and mastery for his craft while portraying life’s both strong and fragile narratives.

FONKi, known for being one of the pioneers of Cambodia’s street art scene, is presenting a new series of work following his past seven years focusing on travelling and painting all around the “Kingdom of Wonders.” While used to painting on monumental walls around the world, his new collection exclusively presented at Rosewood Phnom Penh showcases the energy of the streets focused on smaller scale canvases. His imagery is influenced by 14 years of painting walls, impersonating the rawness and freedom of graffiti fused with a technique acquired by his fascination of realistic paintings from the Renaissance’s masters.