Pregnancy during the pandemic has given the artist two contrasting feelings. One is that the pandemic caused concern for pregnant women as they found it difficult to get out and about, and they needed to adopt new safety measures. On the other hand, however, it was a blessing because it provided a real break and a suitable time that allowed Sophal to consider her life journey in detail. This point is illustrated by the work “New Turn” with an image of a mask covered with flowers.

Sophal’s experience reflects many things that happen to mothers, but they are rarely discussed and shared widely, as they are considered natural conditions. This is also why some women find that they cannot express their difficulty or vulnerability. When people talk about pregnancy, they often think of the positive aspects rather than the responsibilities and challenges that every parent has to deal with throughout the baby’s life.

For Sophal, having a baby is inevitably a contract to take responsibility for. It is a life lesson that people must find a way to accept and learn to live with this lifelong burden happily and responsibly. Sophal invites the audience to share stories of what they have heard or experienced by writing on a canvas as part of the exhibition.

“[re-enacting memories] with you II” continues Tan Vatey’s interest in co-creating art with others and explores a variety of relationalities through art. This new work follows experiments in Brussels, Phnom Penh, and Jakarta of “[re-enacting memories]” that has been developed in collaboration with Sinta Wibowo since 2017, researching “consensual art”, the art of empathy and sensing together. For this exhibition, the art installation wants to create a space of “release and relief” which the artist feels is needed in times of rapid urban development and the haste of modern life, especially when our movements became more restricted since the pandemic outbreak. Peer pressure, social tension and governmental restrains feed our surroundings and situations with more and more stress... till something might break.

In a letter, the artist says hi and offers people to have a “break” together... that’s where the co-creation starts! Glass objects, a hammer, protection gear, a chair, a table, colourful paper, textile bags, ropes, a wall... are made available for visitors to express their mood and let out inner-stress if they want. Day in, day out, their actions transform the artwork that will grow into a barometer of collective feelings of the city and its people.

“[re-enacting memories]” is an itinerant and sideways-shifting series of poetic and playful interventions, based on the remediating power of shifting our memories that are shaping our present reality.

Threshold brings together perspectives of four female artists based on their personal experiences, yet relatable to many. Whether as a community member of a rapidly changing society, a woman who becomes a mother for the first time, or a self-mediator, these artists provide a platform for deep reflection and critical observation on some key issues that occur behind the “threshold” of the Covid-19 pandemic. They also raise some propositions on questioning and facing the new turn of society and the course of the life cycle that remain relevant beyond the pandemic.

About tiSamjort

tiSamjort (“Resting Place”) is a Phnom Penh-based collaborative work space, gallery, and short-term residence for artists and cultural practitioners. Founded in 2020 by three visual artists and one culture lover (Tan Vatey, Neak Sophal, Sao Sreymao, and Say Tola), we envision tiSamjort as a resting place and a meeting space in Cambodia’s capital where people can learn, make art, and feel at home through collective engagement with the arts. tiSamjort was born out of love for the arts and care for cultural practitioners. We began to recognize a need for a resting place for artists in Phnom Penh after initiating our first project, Nomadix Arts Tour, which brought arts programming to provincial communities throughout Cambodia. When meeting with artists and cultural practitioners in different parts of the country, we commonly heard that some of these cultural enthusiasts have encountered practical and financial barriers to come to join the art seminars, workshops and cultural events which have always been held in the capital. Though we had long hoped to launch a collaborative work space for artists in Phnom Penh, these conversations led us to dream bigger, and to imagine how we might alleviate some of the financial burden for artists seeking to travel from provincial Cambodia into the capital. By creating tiSamjort, we want to encourage provincial artists to not give up, and to know that they have a home in Phnom Penh, as well as a place where friendship, creativity, art-related discussion and inspiration can be found. More than that, it is a place for Phnom Penh folks to gather, create new works and share them with people in their communities.