The Pen Art Fair 2021 officially opened at the FT Gallery, with a soft opening in early June. At this year’s fair, about 100 works by 36 domestic and foreign artists will be exhibited.
This is the first edition of the Pen Art Fair, but the organizers will continue to hold it every year. The artist submits the work to the fair through the open recruitment audition process, and the judges select the work to be exhibited.
Miguel Jeronimo, one of the organizers of The Fair, said: “We invited all Cambodian and foreign artists to submit their works, and exhibited the works selected by the judges from the open call for participants.”
There were 80 applicants who sent artwork for the open call, and 5 artists and curator judges voted.
This year’s judge was Sopheap Pich, a Khmer artist who exhibited his art around the world. Khmer painter Chim Soshi, who also works for the Ministry of Culture and Art. Young curator, Meta Moen. Vuth Lyno is an artist, curator and one of the leaders of the Sasa Art Projects gallery. Eric Gonzalez, an artist from Guatemala based in Phnom Penh.
“Our judges followed the criteria of choosing artwork with powerful ideas, beautiful practices, innovative techniques, and concepts related to contemporary issues.
“They chose not only 36 artists (more than half of them Cambodian), but also international artists from 11 countries, and they all exhibited together for the first time at a big celebration of art and creativity. “I did,” Geronimo told the post.
The show chose the best black-and-white etchings depicting a group of Rohingya walking in the field.
“The artwork with the most votes Long walk home It also touches on the challenges and challenges facing Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. It’s by Bangladeshi artist Fawa’s Rob, “said Geronimo.
The Pen Art Fair, originally scheduled for March, has been postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions, but is now being held from June 5th to June 27th.
Hean Rangsey
At this event, established and emerging contemporary artists will express their ideas through a variety of media, including installations, videos, photography, digital art, contemporary painting and performance art.
In addition to the artwork selected by the judges to exhibit from local and international artists, Sopheap Pich, Sothea Thang, Anida Ali, Chov Theanly, Thor Vutha, Chim Sothy, Sansley Mao.
Phnom Penh-based photographer Jeronimo said the fair’s organizer and chief curator, Erik Gonzalez, has published a sculpture with a video on the topic of balance and equilibrium. ..
The exhibition has various topics and themes, and artists are free to express what they like.
French photographer Dako Tagizard uses train windows as a frame to capture the vast landscapes and beautiful scenes of Cambodian life along the Phnom Penh-Takeo Railway.
Rail window In addition to the collection of 48 miniature photos, there are 10 31 x 41 cm photos taken from the same train window.
According to the catalog description, “her camera embarks on a journey to reveal herself after the photographs multiply, follow each other at train speed, and after the intersection is over.”
Some of the themes were prominently featured in The Fair and seemed to capture the artist’s zeitgeist, such as gender and women’s role in society, the environment, and trade-offs related to development and social issues. Underprivileged working people such as immigrants and refugees.
“I’m presenting a sound installation called Home home It is related to the dilemma faced by Cambodian migrants who had to return in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, “said Geronimo.
Sao Sreymao, a graphic artist and painter from Battambang Province, is participating in The Fair as a guest artist.
She showed her work in past exhibitions. Daydream By KhmerSense; Body of sadness By Sa Sa Art Projects; Faced with climate change At the Ministry of the Environment of Cambodia.
“I thought about the performance Push down I’m planning to do it on June 12th, but I’m not sure if it’s completely over or if it needs to be changed, “Sreymao said on the YouTube channel. pressure..
Admission is free, but visitors must book a tour in advance and follow the safety guidelines required by the Ministry of Health to prevent Covid-19.
Hean Rangsey
“We make reservations and can limit the gallery’s capacity to a maximum of 15 people at any time. You can book your tour using the online form,” said Geronimo. ..
The Pen Art Fair is held at the FT Gallery in the Factory Phnom Penh Art Space, Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to 6 pm I will. 00:00 pm. The fair is closed on Mondays.
“As with the use of hand sanitizers, temperature checks at the entrance, and QR code scanning, wearing a mask is a must. The gallery is well ventilated and has a vast area of people to reduce social distance. Is easy, “said Geronimo.
Geronimo said he will hold a live performance and talk about the nature of contemporary art when the situation at Covid-19 improves and it is safe to hold the event again.
For more information, please visit Penh Art’s Facebook page (@PenhArtFair). Or contact us by email. [email protected].. Follow the links below to book a tour of the Pen Art Fair. https://forms.gle/8DG3nSWHXbLu12rt5