Revitalizing Koh Pich:
A Mural That Blends Tradition and Modernity
C. Keo / FEBRUARY 19, 2025 / Mural Commission
In many of my projects across Cambodia over the past few years, a recurring theme has emerged: combining modernity with traditional Khmer cultural elements. Companies here want something that goes beyond the conventional, reflecting the present while honoring the past. This approach captures the spirit of Cambodia today, where rapid development coexists with deep-rooted traditions.
The Project: Breathing Life into Connexion, Koh Pich
For this mural, I collaborated with OCIC, a leading development company known for shaping Koh Pich (Diamond Island) in Phnom Penh. The project site was an abandoned building originally intended to be a shopping mall. However, after the original developers abandoned it, efforts began to transform the space into something more vibrant. With greenery draping its exterior, the building is now being revitalized as a hub for businesses, offering rental spaces inside.
When OCIC first approached me in August 2024, the space was still largely empty. By the time I completed the mural in February this year, the atmosphere had noticeably shifted: more businesses had moved in, and with each visit, I felt the place becoming more alive.
The Concept: A Dynamic Water Festival Mural
For the ground floor’s main hall, the client wanted a bold, eye-catching mural: one that would immediately capture visitors’ attention. The artwork needed to be unmistakably Khmer, rich in cultural elements but without religious connotations.
I drew inspiration from one of Cambodia’s most iconic celebrations: the Water Festival (Bon Om Touk). This annual event draws massive crowds as long, narrow racing boats slice through the rivers, powered by synchronized teams of rowers. The festival embodies energy, movement, and national pride, making it the perfect theme for a mural meant to breathe life into the space.
To infuse traditional Khmer aesthetics, I incorporated key cultural symbols:
- Champak flowers: an iconic bloom found throughout Cambodia, known for its delicate fragrance and presence in everyday life.
- Kbach ornaments: intricate, flowing patterns deeply rooted in Cambodian art and architecture, which I wove into the boat’s design.
To give this artwork my signature RYYSA touch, I played with scale and perspective, creating a surreal, almost dreamlike composition. The rowers appear to emerge from a massive Champak flower, blending natural elements with dynamic human figures. Since I love illustrating people and anatomy, drawing the rowers in motion added an expressive, human element to the piece.
Another key design choice was leaving sections of the raw concrete wall exposed. This not only allows the artwork to seamlessly integrate with the building’s industrial aesthetic but also creates a sense of contrast: where tradition meets modernity.
Every detail in this mural was intentionally designed to create a vibrant, energetic composition that reflects Cambodia’s evolving identity. Just as the Water Festival fills the country with excitement each year, this artwork brings movement, culture, and life to the space.
