PHNOM PENH — Cambodian and international artists recently incorporated ideas of green technologies and sustainable strategies into their artworks to reflect the need for sustainable development and climate action.
To mark Clean Energy Week held Oct. 2 through 9 in Cambodia and numerous countries around the world, the Solarpunk Art Exhibition brought together on Oct. 4 artworks that artists had created during a weeklong workshop in Kampong Thom province in late September. The exhibition also included digital works contributed by artists from across Southeast Asia.
“I’m excited to see an increasing number of people in the capital embracing Solarpunk attitudes…such as creating small gardens in front of their houses, recycling, and repurposing existing materials [which is] truly beautiful,” Jerónimo said. Still, a great deal remains to be done to minimize environmental impact and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, he said, whether in the country, the region or throughout the world.
Sarah Wong, a Cambodian-Chinese artist who has lived in Siem Reap province for many years, said that the motifs, temple architecture and Kui culture inspired her to create a Solarpunk vision of Siem Reap: a reimagining of the riverfront full of potential for the community to get together and come up with creative solutions and innovations.