And not anywhere in the capital city: at Hiroshima House, an iconic architectural experiment nestled in the premises of Wat Ounalom historic pagoda.
As a visually summary of their 18-month long involvement with local communities along the upper Mekong basin in Cambodia, Nomadix collective is holding an exhibition showcasing the artworks of budding artists hailing from Stung Treng to Kratie to Kompong Cham provinces. And their own creations inspired by this inspiring encounter with local schools, pagodas, communities on the riversides of the Mekong. Title says it all: Art, Environment and Community.
Opened on 1st March 2025,the exibition showcases the works of secondary-school students alongside new works by budding and confirmed artists. Such a vibrant encounter was made possible by NomadiX Art Tour, an initiative started in 2020 to engage communities across remote areas in a dialogue on urban development, environmental concerns, and climate change adaptation. This creativity is expressed through various mediums including photography, paintings, sculptures, videos, and installations. With live traditional music, as it goes in Cambodia.
While giving thanks to the many generous donors and partners, Marina Pok, head of Anicca Foundation and Nomadix co-organizer, praised "this testament to the freedom of the creative world — a space where ideas flow without barriers, where collaboration between artists, communities, and global partners becomes the foundation for collective action. Together, we are exploring how the universal language of art can inspire change and raise awareness about the impact of climate change on people along the Mekong River, a region where the forces of nature and human action affect livelihoods, cultures, and ecosystems in ways that we cannot ignore. Yet, it is also a place where the resilience of communities and the transformative power of creativity shine through."
Seasoned artists, first-timers and community supporters were welcomed by Yuki Ogata, Hiroshima House's director. And the place itself, a daring building designed by Japanese architect Osamu Ishiyama and built brick by brick by volunteers from the Association for the Exchange Between Hiroshima Citizens and Cambodians from 1995 until its opening in 2007, speaks loud and clear about resilience and innovation. It is obvious from this striking photo taken by talented Cambodian photographer Rida Srun during the opening:
The exhibition has already been visited by many Phnom-Penhers, including groups of students from Cambodian Living Arts (CLA, photo 1 below) and from the Royal University of Arts (RUFA, photo 2), intrigued and impressed by such an groundbreaking art show.
Before closing on 10 March, Nomadix, a women artists collective, is holding a series of talks, meetings and performances by Kuy minority dancers right on International Women's Day, and so we wish you a happy and creative 8 of March!
This edition of Nomadix Art Tour was powered by tiSamjort collective of women artists (Sao Sreymao, Sophal Neak and Sereyrath Mech) joined by local artist from three provinces (Kampong Cham, Stueng Treng, Kratie):Prak Dalin, Noun Sokchantra and Lav Buntol.
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