solarpunk

Solarpunk is a movement that imagines a future where technology and nature work together harmoniously. Instead of the dark, dystopian futures we often see in science fiction, solarpunk envisions bright, green worlds where:

// Cities are filled with plants, gardens, and renewable energy

// Technology helps heal the environment rather than destroy it

// Communities are cooperative and inclusive

// Solar panels, wind turbines, and other clean energy sources power everything

// Buildings are covered in vegetation and designed to work with natural systems

Think of it as "optimistic environmentalism" - it's about showing what a sustainable, just, and beautiful future could actually look like. The aesthetic often features lots of greenery, natural materials mixed with advanced tech, and vibrant, hopeful imagery.

Solarpunk isn't just about the environment though - it also focuses on social justice, community cooperation, and making sure this green future works for everyone, not just the wealthy.

The name combines "solar" (representing clean energy and brightness) with "punk" (representing a DIY, grassroots approach to creating change). It's both an art movement and a way of thinking about how we can build a better world.

PHNOM PENH. SOUTHEAST ASIAN SOLARPUNK HAS ARRIVED

WHERE: F3 - Friends Futures Factory, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
WHEN: October 4th, 12pm - 4pm
CONTEXT: Part of Clean Energy Week

What happens when artists across the region imagine futures where technology and nature thrive together? Where communities flourish and hope guides innovation?

This exhibition. These works.

From residency artists who spent a week deep in ancestral wisdom and future visioning, plus brilliant submissions from creatives across Southeast Asia.

This group exhibition is stuffed full of creatives who are helping us to imagine and visualise the bright, sustainable futures we want to build; and celebrates the solarpunk movement – where technology and nature thrive together, communities flourish, and hope guides innovation.

It's proof that the future doesn't have to be dystopian. It just needs better architects.

See you there.


PARTICIPATING ARTISTS

Daniel Long | Khmer-American | Medium: video | Title: ព្រលឹង Tree spirit
Sarah Wong | Cambodian-Chinese | Medium: hand drawing, digitally colored | Title: SIEM REAP RIVERFRONT 2050
Sewkhy | Cambodia | Medium: digital illustration | Title: Solarized & Lunarized
Tytaart | Cambodia | Medium: photo-installation | Title: Father Water and Mother Nature
Lee Som Oun | Cambodia | Medium: digital illustration | Title: The Great War
Miguel Jeronimo | Portuguese based in Phnom Penh| Medium: installation, photos | Title: Bumantara high school, New Daun Penh, October 4th 2107
Sak Houes | Cambodia | Medium: painting | Title: Harmony installation
Swa (monkey) | UK based in Siem Reap | Medium: mixed-media, digital art, 3D animation | Title: Solarpunk Sambor Prei Kuk
Deasy | Indonesian based in Phnom Penh | Medium: text and AI-manipulation of photos | Title: Chumrum
Mai | Japanese based in Kampong Thom | Medium: poetry | Title: Solarpunk Poem
/
Sieng Sukunthkanika | Cambodia | Medium: digital art | Title: The Kroeung Warrior & The Monk
Ilham Gusti Syahadat | Indonesia | Medium: digital print, 3D model | Title: Archipelago Dream
Janice Seng | Cambodia | Medium: digital collage | Title: Borey Solarpunk
Kim Sandara | Laos ,Vietnam,USA  | Medium: handmade drawing, digital print | Title: Tomorrow is Bright
Alfi Patria | Indonesia | Medium: digital print | Title: Wiwiting Werna Katresnan (When Love Burst in Colors)
Sam Leslie | American based in Phnom Penh | Medium: wet-terrarium installation | Title: Reclaimed or Reconciled
Keisuke Tateno | Japanese based in Cambodia | Medium: drawing | Title: Luminance
Isrol | Indonesia| Medium: digital print | Title: Young farmers
NGET Nakhim | Cambodia | Medium: digital illustration | Title: ភ្នំ-ពេញ
Dahlan Ghani | Malaysia | Medium: digital art | Title: Symbiosis of Light & Leaf, Solarpunk & Shadow puppet theatre
Emil Fais | Indonesia | Medium: digital print | Title: Replanting
Euna Kwon | Korean based in Cambodia | Medium: drawing | Title: Monivong Blvd: Present & Solarpunk Future
IJWBAA | Phillipines | Medium: digital illustration | Title: The Energy of Tomorrow

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.

Congratulations our successful residents:

Tan Sewkhy @sewkhys_art
Lee Somoun @leesomoun
Sarah Wong @oodley.doodley
Andrew Novell @outyourshell
Daniel Long @gorillamapping
Tyta Buth @tytaart
Sa k Houes @zak_art_kh
and Deasy.

//

We are looking for artists, designers, futurists, environmentalists, and dreamers!

In collaboration with EnergyLab Asia, a non-profit driving Cambodia's energy transition, in collaboration with Micro Galleries, a global art collective, Sambor Village hotel in Kampong Thom and Seapunk Studios, a network of creatives around Southeast Asia, we are launching programs to develop new work and a critical mass of artists who are exploring "Solarpunk". Kicking off with a spotlight on Southeast Asia, and the residency available for application by artists living within Cambodia, this residency will take place in Kampong Thom on September 25th to 30th (week after Pchum Ben holidays)

You will have some days for collective brainstormings and guided imagination sessions, with workshops, film screenings, time to reflect and work on your art pieces, and including:

•⁠ ⁠Introduction to traditional/new ways of thinking grounded in the local context, such as traditional medicine, vernacular resilience strategies and local cosmology/connection with forest spirits, etc.;

•⁠ ⁠Tour to Sambor Prei Kuk temples to get inspired by the ancestral knowledge and southeast asian aesthetics, to combine with future scenarios, including guide and lunch with local community;

•⁠ ⁠Visit to local Indigenous Kui community and their sacred forest, to learn from the best with regards to land stewardship, community practices and living in harmony with nature, including lunch with the Kui and local transport;

•⁠ ⁠Mai from Sambor Village, an inspiring Japanese innovator based in the area, will show us the sense of place and the multiple connections and roots she already has with the local communities.

With the generous support by EnergyLab and Sambor Village we will cover transportation (PP-KPT and within KPT) and accommodation. You will only have to cover your food order from the very reasonably priced Sambor restaurant.

The final outcomes/artworks from the Residency will be displayed in an exhibition at F3 - Friends Futures Factory in Phnom Penh, on October 4th as part of the Clean Energy Week, with the capacity to reach and inspire local youth, social entrepreneurs, climate innovators and policy makers.

You retain full copyright of your art and allow us to promote you online with potential future touring and online exhibitions powered by Micro Galleries. We are looking forward to see what imagined futures you can bring to reality!

This is a conversation starter, a pilot project and an opportunity to build community. Let’s imagine a Solar Punk future for Cambodia!

*****

Where: Sambor Village in Kampong Thom
When: September 25-30th (week after Pchum Ben) + Exhibition on October 4th
Why: To dig deeper in collective explorations,
What is Provided: All transportation and accommodation covered
What is not provided: Food
Submission Deadline: September 18th

Micro Galleries always partners with the most exceptional talent who have deep cultural connections and knowledge of the communities we hope to work with.

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