Phnom Penh & Exhibition : Am I Lost? — Chea Sereyroth’s Introspective Journey at Bophana

The exhibition “Am I Lost?” by Cambodian artist Chea Sereyroth opens from February 6 to March 31, 2026, at the Bophana Audiovisual Resource Center in Phnom Penh.

Marking the center’s 20th anniversary, this major body of work delves into personal memories and emotional landscapes through a powerful pictorial expression.

The Origins of an Artist from Battambang

Born in Battambang in 1990, Chea Sereyroth joined Phare Ponleu Selpak in 2005, a non-profit art school deeply engaged with local social issues. After earning his painting diploma, he worked as a graphic designer at Sonleuk Thmey Studio and taught at the School of Visual and Applied Arts. His textured acrylic canvases—often incorporating sawdust, mud, and natural earth—investigate collective memory, rural life, and environmental neglect, recurring themes inspired by his provincial roots.

An Enduring Bond with Bophana

The Bophana Center, established to preserve Cambodia’s audiovisual memory, holds special significance for Sereyroth. He participated in its memory workshops in 2008, 2009, and 2012, refining his understanding of post-Khmer Rouge history.This solo exhibition, co-organized with Sna Arts Administration—the first visual arts agency in Phnom Penh linking local and international artists—celebrates the center’s 20th anniversary with the support of the French Development Agency (AFD). The opening on February 6 at 6 p.m. promises a festive yet contemplative evening.

Themes and Technique: A Distinct Signature

“Am I Lost?” embodies Sereyroth’s signature approach: layered painting as an allegory for the strata of memory, blending emotional depth with tangible materials.His recent shows, such as “Green Umbrage” at Silapak Trotchaek Pneik (until November 2024) and “Immersed in Land & Water” at Sna Arts (September–November 2024), reflect his ongoing concern for nature and rural communities. The latter included seven canvases exploring the land-water connection, with pieces like Flower Bush warning against ecological destruction.Having exhibited in Singapore, Japan, and Australia, he has also contributed to thematic exhibitions such as Quest (on forced migration) and Disaster, reinforcing his place in Cambodia’s contemporary art scene.

Bophana: Two Decades of Cultural Preservation

Beyond the artwork, this event pays tribute to Bophana as a bastion of Khmer audiovisual heritage, hosting online exhibitions such as Through the Eyes of Jean-Michel Gallet and receiving artistic donations like Partage by Danhôo.In a nation marked by loss and silence, the center fosters intergenerational dialogue and heritage conservation. Sna Arts, led by Chanveasna, amplifies this mission by promoting artists like Sereyroth alongside peers such as Koeurm Kolab and Pen Robit.