Phare Ponleu Selpak, the French Institute (IFC) and Agence Française de Développement (AFD) are proud to announce their collaboration in bringing a unique and transformative art project from Battambang Province to Phnom Penh.
The initiative aims to present Cambodian territories' challenges and opportunities through the captivating lens of art. The journey began with a successful Phare Design Lab workshop held in Battambang in January 2023, bringing together more than 20 students from Phare Visual & Applied Arts School. This week-long workshop yielded seven remarkable artworks that were then exhibited during a one-day festival in Battambang city center, in October 2023. The festival was a great success with more than 1,000 participants.
In 2025, this project is scaled up and showcased at the French Institute, through the exhibition “Imagined Territories, art to build tomorrow”. The opening will be held on Thursday, January 23rd, at 6:30pm. A performance by circus students from Phare Ponleu Selpak, as well as a concert by the Miss Sarawan band and a cocktail are scheduled on the day of the inauguration. The exhibition will run until April 12th, 2025.
Out of seven artworks created in 2023, four of them will be brought to Phnom Penh: “Bakprea”, “Golden Soil”, “New Generation, New Era” and “Drop Of Life”. All showcase development axis of the Battambang Province in key fields in natural resources management (water, soil, environment, fish), education and access to drinking water. These artworks have all been created from natural and/or recycled materials, and were designed to engage and inspire local communities.
The initiative was initially supported by the Métis Fund, an innovative initiative launched in 2021 that leverages the arts and artists to strengthen the impact of ongoing development efforts led by AFD. With a dedicated focus on achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it aims to foster sustainable and inclusive development while celebrating Cambodia provinces’ cultural and artistic life.
“I have seen a remarkable progression in students’ thinking about social and community issues, greatly enriching their artistic approach. Our discussions highlighted the importance of recognizing art in the environment, enabling the creation of works that are deeply rooted in the social context.” says Eng Riithchandaneth – Professional Artist, Project Mentor
Phare Ponleu Selpak, IFC, AFD and Métis Initiative believe that through this artistic endeavor, they can ignite positive change, inspire sustainable development, and empower communities.
Indeed, the initiative relies on the collaboration of artists and the engagement of local communities to celebrate the provinces' rich heritage and potential.
It places great importance on community involvement, inviting visitors to contribute to the installation and dive into imagined territories through several immersive art pieces.
About the Agence Française de Développement
Agence Française de Développement Group (AFD Group) implements France’s policy in the areas of development and international solidarity. It finances, supports and accelerates transitions towards a more coherent and resilient world. Comprised of AFD, which finances the public sector and NGOs; Proparco, which finances the private sector; and Expertise France for technical cooperation, the Group finances, supports and accelerates transitions towards a more resilient and sustainable world.
With our partners, we are building shared solutions with and for the people of the Global South. Our teams are active in more than 4,000 projects in the field – in overseas France, in some 115 countries and in crisis areas, working to promote the “common goods” that are climate, biodiversity, peace, gender equality, education and health. It’s our way of contributing to the commitment France and the French people have made to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Towards a world in common. http://www.afd.fr
About Métis Initiative
Launched in 2021 with the support of Agence Française Development agency, the METIS fund brings together players from the development sector, the artistic world and the private sector. It finances artistic initiatives to enhance the impact of development policies. These experiments are carried out as close as possible to the territories for and with the local people concerned. What they do, the good, the beautiful and the true is then disseminated on an international scale. METIS, a transmitter of emotions, a bringer of change. https://metis.afd.fr/
About Phare Ponleu Selpak
Phare Ponleu Selpak (PPS) – meaning the Brightness of the Arts – is a non-profit arts school that empowers children, youth and their communities. Inspired by drawing workshops at the Site 2 refugee camp along the Thai-Cambodia border, nine evacuee students founded Phare Ponleu Selpak in 1994 on the outskirts of Battambang, Cambodia. Today, more than 800 students participate in a multitude of daily artistic and cultural activities on the PPS campus free of charge. Classes and workshops include music, dance, visual arts, theatre, circus, animation, graphic design and illustration. PPS changes lives through the arts by giving students the opportunities to become professional and self-sufficient artists and performers. https://phareps.org
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