Building an alternative art space in Cambodia
The Project
Photo: Supporters and friends of our nascent gallery
We are seeking support to create a new contemporary and modern art gallery in Phnom Penh, named សិល្បៈត្រជាក់ភ្នែក [Silapak Trotchaek Pneik /STP], or “art that pleases the eyes”. The 200-square-meter space in the heart of the city was originally built by Cambodia’s most prolific impressionist, You Khin, to display his personal works and creativity. The new gallery will be headed by Reaksmey Yean, Cambodian young emerging art curator, writer, and researcher, who is program director for the gallery and is overseeing the renovations and spatial design. The space’s renovations began with the support of several generous donors in January 2020, but came to an abrupt end once the pandemic took its toll on the Kingdom. Funding has come primarily from private individuals and local businesses, which have suffered due to the lack of tourism and the general economic downturn in Cambodia. Sadly, some pledges have been revoked and renovations have been paused. Support from YK Art House which is hosting the gallery on its premises continues, however, and the longer-term future of the gallery is assured once renovations are complete.
At this point, walls and doors have been completed to create a distinct and intimate gallery space within the YK Art House complex, which hosts eco-focused accommodation and a vegan restaurant on the premises, that generate revenue to, in part, support the space.
To launch the gallery to welcome artists and host exhibitions, the following elements are yet to be completed and require funds:
Renovation of the floor - $5,800
Lighting and installation hardware $3,200
Renovation of the bathroom and storage spaces $1,500
What is Silapak Trotchaek Pneik (STP)?
Founded in 2019, Silapak Trotchaek Pneik is dedicated to contemporary and modern art practices and expressions, with an emphasis on Southeast Asia, writing, education, and audience development. The Gallery’s name derived from the intersection of a Khmer word art, Silapak, and the name of a defunct art collective, Trotchaek Pneik. The double entendre extends the meaning of Silapak Trotchaek Pneik, “cool eye art,” which in Khmer means “beautiful art” or “art that pleases the eyes.”
As an emerging young art space, STP operates under the rubric of a hybridized concept of a semi-commercial and semi-community art gallery.
Why Silapak Trotchaek Pneik?
The project by a Cambodian team to develop its own voice in an art scene that has up to this point been predominantly led by international voices. The gallery’s programming will be supervised and directed by the program director and emerging art curator, Reaksmey Yean, who is a graduate of LaSalle College of the Arts, Singapore.
The gallery is being established in response to a scarcity of platforms for young emerging artists. Space will serve to launch their careers and act as a gateway to introducing them to the broader Southeast Asian audience and art network. The gallery will strongly promote art education and research as we attempt to cultivate a passion for art and understanding among local audiences, especially Cambodians.
To achieve these objectives, the gallery will offer the followings:
Quarterly/Monthly exhibitions: This is the main activity of the gallery. The gallery works with artists to develop the exhibition and to promote and to commercialize their works.
Art Talks: providing the artists of the show, artists in general, scholars, and researchers the platform to present their works and findings. It will invite scholars to explore various aspects of Cambodian and Southeast Asian Arts.
Art History Classes: Filling the gap in art historical studies in Cambodia. This will be organized as a weekly course that allows the art lover, appreciator, and learner the opportunity to explore world art histories, and Southeast Asian Art, in particular. The course will be convened by the gallery’s program director, with the support of local and international experts and art historians of various fields.
Collection Showcase: cultivating collectorship in Cambodia, especially among Cambodians. This program will invite Cambodian and local art ‘collectors’ to have their collections (passion, love, and treasure) shared with the public for a short period of time
The Cambodian Masters: Exploring and unearthing works of unknown Cambodian masters, who are less familiar to Cambodian artists and art appreciators. It also intends to document works for future research.
Guided Tour: Offering the audience and learner opportunities to visit the gallery and its exhibition with the aid of experts and scholars, thereby fostering their understanding of the arts. This will be conducted through two potential paths: a curator tour and a gallery-based docent tour.
Extracurricular: Occasional pop-up activities, workshops, and classes: drawing workshops, poetry night, film screenings, etc.
Our goal is to launch the gallery on 16th February 2021, which is the birthday of Muoy Svay, wife of You Khin who is continuing his legacy in an art-focused Montessori school for underprivileged children near Phnom Penh. To meet this milestone, we are setting a deadline for raising funds as 31st October 2020.
We are beyond grateful to all our friends and supporters and genuinely appreciate any donations to support our efforts towards raising arts in Cambodia.
