Quotes of Life presents the journeys of five students enrolled at the art schools of the NGO Phare Ponleu Selpak in Battambang, Cambodia, through a series of photographs.
Quotes of Life Exhibition: Insights into the students of Phare Ponleu Selpak A solidarity exhibition for Cambodian youth From 28 October to 3 November 2023, the exhibition ‘Quotes of Life’ will be held at Atelier René in Paris’s 11th arrondissement. After a year of civic service with the Cambodian NGO Phare Ponleu Selpak, I want to highlight the inspiring journeys of five students from the art schools of Battambang. Through a series of photographs, the exhibition tells their stories, their passion for the arts, and their commitment to disciplines such as dance, circus arts, and painting. Each photo is accompanied by a quote chosen by the student, reflecting their dreams and aspirations. The challenging context and the importance of art in Cambodia Cambodia, still scarred by the violence of the conflicts of the 1980s, continues to face economic and social difficulties. Many children drop out of school and face exploitation. Since 1994, Phare Ponleu Selpak has been offering these young people access to education and high-quality artistic training, enabling them to express themselves and build a future for themselves. Moved by this essential work, I hope that this exhibition will raise awareness of the importance of art and international volunteering in empowering young Cambodians. An invitation to commitment and solidarity The ‘Citations de Vie’ exhibition is more than just an artistic event. I hope to encourage other young people to get involved in volunteering by sharing my experience. A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to support the organisation of the exhibition, and a sale of the original works on site will allow all profits to be donated to the NGO. Join us at 16 rue Neuve Popincourt, Paris 11th arrondissement, to discover these inspiring stories and support this important cause!