By:
• Po Sakun
• Teng Yalirozy

• 4, September 2024 , 11:55 AM

PHNOM PENH — Growing up as a farm boy in Siem Reap province, Nak Noy soon developed a passion for Nature. He has been portraying scenes inspired by his surroundings to express what he calls the power of love for a world full of hope, strength and beauty.

This is what he has meant to express in his solo exhibition currently held in Phnom Penh. This and the importance of family and of women such as his mother and younger sister, he said. After all, one refers to the planet as “Mother Earth,” which is the theme he selected for his solo exhibition as his artworks are meant to illustrate the bond human beings have with the women in their lives, including Mother Earth, he said.

“I like observing my surroundings,” Noy said. “I like drawing about my family or friends. I’m curious about where the human being is from. I love learning about science, nature and history. But also, I am influenced by the sculptures in the centuries-old Khmer temples and by jewellery, which led me to creating this series of works.” 

“Mother Earth” consists of 30 artworks. His paintings are mainly gold, blue, green, or yellow: the colors of the countryside of his childhood and teenage years where he would spend his days drawing and painting on paper or on the walls of his family farm buildings.  

His works reflect the complexity and mystery of Nature: the many layers that make a flower or a plant, the mystery of life that human beings have still to fully comprehend. The faces appearing in some of his works are nearly those of deities, unreadable, serene.  

In one work, a woman appears in an elaborate costume in green and blue tones, seemingly emerging from a blue cloud and looking at the viewer with piercing eyes. In another, a golden face appears against a blue background as if set for eternity—nearly a 21st century version of the stoic Angkorian faces. 

Artwork by Cambodian artist Nak Noy. Photo_ Top Vannara

Born in 1999, Noy is self-taught, his signature style being Nature and women empowerment, he said. 

Asked what has inspired him to paint eyes in his artworks, he explained that, for him, they symbolize learning: opening “one’s eyes” to what surrounds us, be curious and eager to expand our knowledge. And this, ongoingly, he said, as there is no end to learning. 

“Since I was young, I’ve loved learning new things and [exploring] what is surrounding me,” he said. “I started drawing about nature when I was about 13 or 14.

“I appeal for the protection of nature as it is the foundation of life,” Noy said. “If you can’t help, please don’t destroy.”

The exhibition, which held till the end of September, is taking place at The Plantation Urban Resort & Spa,28 Street 184, in Phnom Penh.

For information: phone: 023 215-151 

website: https://theplantation.asia/contact/ 

Artwork by Cambodian artist Nak Noy. Photo_ Top Vannara