Romcheik5 showcases the extraordinary talents of local artists. It’s home to four young resident artists who have learnt how to express themselves beautifully though many art mediums. And there is a comfortable roof-top cafe to relax.
Despite being an important service centre for the surrounding agricultural and horticultural industries, Battambang does have a cultural heartbeat. Museums are common, performing arts have a place and there is a special art gallery.
Romcheik5 is named after the suburb of Battambang where itās located. It is home to four young resident artists. Nget Chanpenh, For Hak, Hour Seyha and Mil Chankrim have a studio onsite and are prolific producers of art ā understandable because they have plenty to say.
They are young but have lived extraordinary lives already, coming from backgrounds that a privileged westerner can barely imagine. Family disfunction, abandonment, exile, hard labour and loneliness is what they have experienced. Add Cambodiaās cruel history as a backdrop and you have endless fuel for stories, if you have the ability to tell them.
With the help of NGOs, a donor and creative arts school, these young artists have found their voice in a most spectacular way, a release for their tortured emotions.
Their art is exquisite ā dark, beautiful, accessible.
“I have rarely enjoyed visiting an art gallery as much as I have visiting here.”
Yes some of the artwork is dark and how could it not be. The pain and misery is palpable. Thatās been their life. But there is plenty of colour and hope here too. They work in many disciplines ā oils, water paints, rock sculptures, wood carvings and more. Something Iāve not seen before is using charred wood as a canvas. Very effective. Their artwork is for sale and they have presented in art galleries around the world. Such amazing talent right here in rural Battambang.
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