Thang Sothea- who will exhibit his art at the Gallerist from 24th of January - is an acclaimed contemporary artist known for his innovative approach to art, which blends traditional craft with modern concepts of sustainability and spiritual reflection. His works focus on upcycling—the process of transforming everyday materials into new, meaningful creations.
Sothea’s new exhibition draws deep inspiration from personal experiences and a refl ection on the transformative journey of the self. After the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, Thang Sothea found solace in the concept of the cocoon, representing a retreat, safety, and self-care, where the soul could undergo introspection and renewal.
This idea is woven throughout the exhibition, from the shape and form of the works to the symbolism of the cocoon as a place of quiet transformation.
Following his previous series Manu-Devata-Apsara (from seed to tree) Sothea moves toward a more organic, nature-inspired approach in this exhibition. The works evoke the delicate process of metamorphosis, akin to the growth of a butterfl y, metal spheres symbolizing the heart and soul, and the vibrant colors of nature's palette.
One of his signature techniques involves upcycling sarong fabric, a piece of traditional Cambodian clothing, into new forms of art. This act of transformation is more than just about reusing materials; it’s a way to give new life to fabric that carries cultural signifi cance, imbuing the artwork with a sense of continuity and renewal. The use of sarong fabric, a traditional garment often worn by family members ties this theme back to his cultural roots.
This focus on the everyday can be seen as the need to preserve things that might otherwise be considered insignifi cant.
Sothea's process involved extensive research and sketching, carefully considering how to dress each fi gure, while experimenting with colors, shapes, and textures that echoed his connection to nature.
Ultimately, the exhibition is a deeply personal narrative, a meditation on growth, self-refl ection, and the endless cycle of life. Through his artwork, Sothea shares a part of himself, encouraging the viewer to embrace introspection, transformation, and a reconnection with the world around them.
Another key element of Sothea's “Divine Keepers” is his inspiration from divinities, family, and spiritual relations between people and the unseen.
The exhibition is structured around the theme of 12, representing the 12 months, 12 hours, and the 12 astrological signs. This numerology adds layers of complexity, creating a sense of cyclical time and spiritual alignment.
The “Divine Keepers” (12 statues, 6 couples)
"Keeper of Harmony" (for family unity)
"Guardian of Abundance" (for prosperity and wealth)
"Nurturer of Joy" (for happiness and positivity)
"Protector of Love" (for relationships and affection)
"Spirit of Wellness" (for health and vitality)
"Emissary of Peace" (for tranquility in the home)
"Harbinger of Growth" (for personal and professional development)
"Warden of Dreams" (for aspirations and creativity)
"Sentinel of Gratitude" (for appreciation and mindfulness)
"Keeper of Connections" (for friendships and community)
"Guardian of Serenity" (for calmness and balance)
"Light of Prosperity" (for fi nancial success and stability)
By repurposing familiar materials in unexpected ways, he seeks to reveal the hidden dimensions of everyday life and spiritual connections, encouraging a dialogue between the tangible and the intangible.
Sothea’s sculptures are fi lled with a sense of freedom and exploration. His creativity mixed with architectural infl uences allows him to animate traditional materials and natural forms in new ways, connecting audiences with history and fi nding new uses of space.
Thang's work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally, earning him awards and recognition as an infl uential fi gure in contemporary Cambodian art.
The Story of a Creator: From Kampong Cham to Innovation
Born in a small village in Kampong Cham in 1983, Thang Sothea spent the fi rst ten years of his life in a tight-knit community where life was simple yet full of challenges.
When he was 10, his family moved to Phnom Penh. The city was a world away from the quiet village life he knew. The transition was both exciting and intimidating. But the move also opened doors to new experiences, including exposure to the vibrant arts and crafts scene in the city. Very soon, Sothea was drawn to the work of artists and craftsmen, often spending hours sitting and watching them at work. Then he started experimenting on his own—creating things, trying new techniques, and exploring different mediums.
However, his journey was not always easy, Sothea was passionate about painting and the fi ne arts, but practical concerns loomed large. He knew that pursuing a career in fi ne art could be diffi cult, especially in a country where stability and fi nancial security were hard to come by. With this in mind, he made a decisive choice: to study architecture instead. Architecture, he believed, would offer a way to continue experimenting, drawing, and creating while also providing more opportunities for fi nancial sustainability.
In the University of Architecture, Sothea was particularly captivated by the process of building maquettes—small architectural models that allowed him to visualize his ideas in three dimensions. The act of crafting something from nothing, of taking raw materials and shaping them into something purposeful and beautiful, felt natural to him. He realized that architecture allowed him to fuse the practical with the artistic, combining his love for design with the need to solve real-world problems. His work became a refl ection of this process, marked by years of dedication, experimentation, and exploration.
After he graduated in 2009 from Norton University with a Bachelor Degree of Architecture & Urban Planning and was hired as an architect in a French fi rm in Phnom Penh. In parallel, he started to work as a self-taught artist whose work spans various mediums, including painting, drawing, printmaking and sculpture.
His approach to creation is driven by a desire to push boundaries. Each piece he worked on is complex, requiring years of honing skills and mastering materials. For him, the process is never quick or easy; every piece is a challenge, requiring deep refl ection and careful consideration. To move forward, he had to face the fear of limitless possibilities while also embracing the freedom that came with it.
Sothea enjoys seeing things from different perspectives, often turning ideas and concepts upside down to discover new ways of thinking. His work, though it may
appear simple on the surface, is always built on complex techniques that took years to master.
As he has a tendency to get bored quickly, always seeking new challenges and pushing the limits of what he could create, Sothea is drawn to the intersection of timeline, space, and material: how time affected materials, how space transformed design, and how his own understanding of these elements evolved over time.
Today, Sothea’s work is a testament to the power of persistence, innovation, and connection to place. His journey from Kampong Cham to Phnom Penh, from uncertainty to mastery, has shaped him into a creator who continues to explore, to push boundaries, and to inspire others with his ability to turn challenges into opportunities. His story is a reminder that the creative process is never linear, but with patience, dedication, and a willingness to face the unknown, anything is possible.
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