PRESS RELEASES
The thought-provoking exhibition explores the past, present and future of one of Cambodia’s most scenic destinations through the lens of student artists and masters from Phare Ponleu Selpak.
June 21, 2022
As a proud supporter of Cambodia’s arts and culture scene, Rosewood Phnom Penh is delighted to debut “The Veal Veaeng Disquisition: A Phare Collective” from June 21 to September 21, 2022, the exhibition turns a spotlight on the spectacular beauty of Veal Veaeng, a rural area at the edge of the Cardamom Mountains, through a collection of diverse works by art students, alumni and instructors from influential Cambodian non-profit Phare Ponleu Selpak.
The Veal Veaeng Disquisition came together following an immersive, two-day excursion across the region. During the trip, students, alumni, teachers, and mentors engaged in meaningful conversations with local communities and observed the incredible natural bounty first-hand.
“Our students wanted to dig beneath the surface and uncover the richer meaning behind the photos seen on social media,” wrote Osman Khawaja, Executive Director of Phare Ponleu Selpak. “Conversations with people in the community gave birth to artworks reflecting memories of the past, experiences of the present and hopes for the future.”
The resulting collection of artwork represents a broad range of styles, from surreal and abstract to cubism, realism, watercolor, portraiture and more. Some artists reimagined a time before deforestation due to illegal logging, while others highlighted the serenity of the landscape and the resilience of its people.
Tor Vutha, a well-known Cambodian artist and Phare Ponleu Selpak Artistic Center co-founder, painted a bold blue water buffalo against a red backdrop in a striking display of strength and perseverance. Another artist, Chann Sosavdy, depicted a family of elephants using an optimistic rainbow palette. Meanwhile, Heouy Karona explores human impact on the environment with a foreboding tangle of arms forming a bird’s nest.
“Veal Veaeng is known for its natural beauty and wildlife, and it is rewarding to see these deep, rich portrayals of the area by Cambodia’s next generation of creatives,” says Daniel Simon, managing director of Rosewood Phnom Penh. “We hope visitors feel more connected with the area and its people while experiencing a taste of the varied and vivid artwork in Cambodia. We extend our gratitude to Phare Ponleu Selpak for choosing Rosewood Phnom Penh as its partner for this meaningful exhibition.”
All proceeds raised from artwork sales will directly benefit Phare Ponleu Selpak. Meaning “The Brightness of the Arts” in Khmer, the non-profit has long cultivated the arts in Cambodia through its world-class circus training programs and first-of-its-kind Visual and Applied Arts School, which offers everything from children’s art classes to professional training in graphic design, visual arts, and animation. The school encourages students to explore their creative capabilities and develop their own personal styles, as evidenced by the eclectic artwork on display in the Veal Veaeng Disquisition.
The exhibition is the latest initiative in a series of successful collaborations between Phare Ponleu Selpak and Rosewood Phnom Penh. In March, Rosewood Phnom Penh partnered with the non-profit to host a larger-than-life fundraising dinner and cocktail event featuring mesmerizing live circus acts by Phare Ponleu Selpak performers. Collectively, the events raised US$41,000 for Cambodian youth and arts development.
“The Veal Veaeng Disquisition: A Phare Collective” will be open to the public from June 21 to September 21, 2022, at the Rosewood Phnom Penh Art Gallery on the hotel’s 35th floor. The exhibition is free to the public and is open 24 hours daily.