From ink to sculptures, KEOSOCHEAT KOEM’s artist weaves through philosophy, religion, and heritage.
Keosocheat Koem, a trailblazing artist hailing from Kampot Province in south Cambodia, is charting new territory in her community. As the first individual in her village and extended family to pursue higher education, she now calls Phnom Penh her home. She graduated from the Royal University of Fine Arts (RUFA) in 2018. And at 30, Keosocheat displays versatility across various artistic mediums, including oil and watercolour painting, sculpture, stonework, drawing, and textile art. Her impressive portfolio boasts of solo exhibitions in Phnom Penh and participation in group showcases, highlighting her exceptional talent.
Dressed in light, flowing attire, Keosocheat is deeply intrigued by religious narratives and is interested in philosophy and religion, particularly the Dharma. “When I visit the pagoda, I see parents telling their children, ‘Oh, don’t do this, it’s a sin,’ which makes the children afraid and less talkative,” Keosocheat says. “But I believe they should explain the reasons behind these restrictions.”
She observes that the teachings in Buddhism and religion passed down through generations often lose their essence as people overlook the deeper meanings behind each story. Since the age of seven, she has been captivated by the artwork adorning the pagoda walls whenever she visits pagodas during Cambodian Buddhist holidays. “Once I understood the meanings behind the stories, I wanted to convey it in my art,” she says.
Keosocheat frequently meditates and engages in introspection, exploring concepts such as Vipassana and focusing on karma and good behaviour. Art lovers who appreciate her work come from many backgrounds. “From the British and Australian ambassadors to local residents,” she says, hoping her art can bridge different communities into working together.
An advocate for animal rights and a vegetarian, Keosocheat embarked on her artistic journey with her first solo exhibition, ‘Eyes of Mercy,’ in 2020. The collection of over 30 oil paintings featured cats painted in vibrant colours with a hyper-focus on the feline eyes. Through her art, she aims to raise awareness about animal rights issues in Cambodia, presenting motifs of urban pollution and mistreatment while leaving space for viewers to interpret their own reactions.
Continuing her solo exhibitions, Keosocheat’s ‘Why Do I?’ echoes her childhood in rural Cambodia, exploring themes of superstition, traditional beliefs, and rituals through abstract artwork in muddy earth tones. Her subsequent exhibition, ‘White,’ showcased 12 ink drawings on canvas, each intricately portraying themes influenced by philosophy, culture, art, and history. Through her art and accompanying narratives, she encouraged viewers to embark on a journey of self-discovery, embracing their heritage while shaping their futures.
Keosocheat’s collaboration with German artist Lars Breuer in 2022 resulted in the creation of ‘Nikakhit,’ an intricate black and white painting on a 100×200 cm canvas. Intending for this piece to serve as both artwork and a window into the evolution of culture and civilisation, the title and content of ‘Nikakhit’ draw from the Pali language, symbolising a vowel nasalisation with the written form of a zero, “0,” representing transformation.
Her latest venture involves a combined sculpture and musical instrument crafted from glass fibres, which focuses on promoting good behaviour. After a year of development, Keosocheat composed her melody for this innovative artwork, infusing functionality with artistic expression.
Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
