• Society

From Paper Waste to Art by Artist Sou Sophy

• By Meng Seavmey
• June 23, 2023 6:46 PM

PHNOM PENH – The exhibition “Life Trap” currently at Meta House in Phnom Penh, consists of 25 artworks that are made of pieces of recycled paper. Because, as artist Sou Sophy said, reducing waste and protecting the environment include recycling paper that people use and discard without even thinking about it.

As Sophy, who is also an author, graphic designer and illustrator of children's books explained, the concept of her artworks is for the audience to reflect on the fact that all living creatures depend on the Earth for survival. 

“I regard all living beings as pure and innocent,” she said in interview on June 16. 

All people have similar needs such as food, shelter; depend on families and social relationships; may get confronted by survival and annihilation; experience birth, death, love, separation, freedom or captivity, she said. And so do all living beings on the planet, she added.

Originally from Battambang province, Sophy graduated from the arts school of the NGO Phare Ponleu Selpak in Battambang City in 2010. Her work has been exhibited in Battambang and Siem Reap provinces, in Phnom Penh, and has featured in group exhibitions in Thailand and in France.

“Most of the wildlife in my paintings, I seldom see or have direct interaction with,” Sophy said. “I simply love to read about them and want to know about their lives. One thing, however, that I have grasped is that all wild animals want, as human beings do, to be free and to live peaceful lives.”  

The artworks exhibited at Meta House, however, represent human activities that the artist has actually seen, including the acts of killing wildlife, intentional destruction, trapping, trade, deforestation, and devastation of wildlife and ecosystems.

Since studying drawing at Phare, Sophy has remained passionate about it as can be seen in the exhibition. “For my new works, I’m using recycled paper shaped into various animal images, employing a technique that may be called ‘alto-relievo sculpture’ or ‘haut-relief painting,’” she explained.  



“A life confined by thorny barriers that take one’s freedom away," said artist Sou Souphy of her artwork she entitled "Illiberty." Photo provided

The Special Way of Using Materials

For the 25 artworks on exhibit, Sophy used plywood, recycle papers (newspaper, cartons, cardboard, egg boxes), and glue. To easily form the shape, Sophy used a flat board to support the weight, and different colored papers to represent characteristics that brought out the uniqueness in terms of mood and feelings.

“To make this kind of paper mixture, the paper is torn into tiny pieces and soaked in water for about five days, making it easy to dissolve,” Sophy said. “It is then washed thoroughly and re-soaked in water before being ground into powder, and then drained and stored in a clean container for later use. The paint and types of paper should also be kept in different places.”

Afterwards, Sophy mixes the paper powder with glue, and pounds it into a good sticky mixture before adding some water to start forming various shapes. She then shapes it into designs.

At the exhibition, Sophy provided explanations for each of her artwork, and also invited people to express their opinions and ideas regarding her work.

The exhibition at Meta House, which is located at 48 Street 228 in Phnom Penh, runs through June 25.

For more information:

Meta House: www.facebook.com/MetaHousePhnomPenh/

Sou Sophy: www.facebook.com/sou.sophy





“We are living on the same planet Earth, we must learn to share, to give to each other with compassion, and to create a happy life. Together, we protect our planet,” says artist Sou Sophy of her artwork she named “Living Globe.” Photo: provided

Sou Sophy standing in front of her artworks during the exhibition. Photo: provided