ANN/THE PHNOM PENH POST – In a serene nook of Bak Prea village, located in the secluded expanse of Cambodia’s Ek Phnom district within Battambang province, a young scholar is deeply engrossed in her sketchpad.
With deliberate strokes, she transforms the everything she sees into into intricate pencil lines and shapes on the page.
The scene, both unassuming and deeply meaningful, underscores the power and possibility of art – a power that has reached this rural locale through the initiatives of Chumnor Art founder Poy Chhunly and the visionary behind the ‘Art Journey to Remote Areas’ programme.
Chhunly, an artist hailing from Battambang, has a profound dedication to fostering creativity in disadvantaged communities and recognised the significant gap in access to art education in the rural parts of the country. His initiative offers a crucial opportunity by delivering art materials, instruction, and inspiration directly to children who might otherwise lack the means to discover their artistic abilities.
More than just a series of art classes, the effort is a holistic initiative designed to foster creativity, critical thinking and self-expression.
For Chhunly, these skills are essential tools for empowerment, enabling the younger generation to envision and contribute to a brighter future for their communities.
The programme is currently in its second session in the village, marking the seventh held in the province since its inception in January.
This ongoing effort reflects the project’s broader goals of reaching remote communities with limited access to art education. “The second session in Bak Prea village focuses on teaching the art of painting to children, using materials provided by art enthusiasts from Battambang and Phnom Penh,” said Chhunly.
During the first session, children were introduced to the basics of painting, with lessons centred around everyday objects familiar to their rural lives.
On September 1, two special activities took place, led by volunteer instructors, including a team specialising in water-based techniques.
“We taught the children how to mix colours, clean their brushes and care for their tools,” Chhunly shared.
“Afterward, they were encouraged to create their own paintings, with the entire day dedicated to artistic exploration.”
The children’s works were then carefully assessed to identify those who demonstrated the most skill, patience and creativity. The top performers were awarded prizes, including drawing books, crayon sets and pencil cases – an acknowledgment of their budding talent and a motivator for their continued artistic journey.
Chhunly’s decision to bring the programme to Bak Prea was driven by the area’s remoteness and the children’s limited opportunities to engage in art.
“We wanted to provide these children with the chance to explore art, a discipline they might not otherwise encounter,” he told The Post.
The challenges of reaching the village, particularly during the rainy season when roads become impassable, underscored the importance of bringing the class directly to the community.
The programme targets four districts in the province: Ek Phnom in the west, Thmor Koul in the south, and Banan and Moung Russey in the east.
In its first year, the initiative reached 500 children and youth. Of these, 100 have shown strong talent, while others continue to develop their skills.
Chhunly’s commitment to fostering artistic skill in Cambodia extends beyond this programme.
A graduate of a film school in France, he returned to Cambodia in 2014, bringing with him a passion for animation and filmmaking.
His short-animated film Revive won first prize at the 2007 Cambofest Film Festival and was showcased internationally.
Chhunly has also served as an animation teacher at Phare Ponleu Selpak (PPS) and directed the 1000 Hands Animation Studio.
In 2018, he launched Poy Studio, with dreams of creating independent films and eventually opening a film school in the province.
