Art, nature and imagination: (top) a selection of oil on canvas works by Im Pesey; (bottom) Marsha Niemeijer, (bottom left) Cardamom Tented Camp creative setting, and Im Pesey.
 

(Cambodia, June 10, 2026) CARDAMOM Tented Camp in Cambodia has announced an artist-in-residence program. Khmer artist Im Pesey will take up residency 21 June to 5 July at the nature-first tented camp which is accessible only by river and surrounded by 18,000 hectares of indigenous forest in Botum Sakor national park in the southwest of the country.

The camp is in advanced discussion with two other Khmer artists for residencies later in the year. 

All artists in the program are being invited to reflect surrounding nature in their work. They will hold a minimum of two workshops with guests during their stays. A dedicated open-air artist’s workspace called the Art Pavilion has been created at the camp.

The inaugural residency with Im Pesey (right) will be entitled “Melody of the Forest.”

The artist stated: “Through direct observation and immersion in the camp’s environment, I aim to develop a series of paintings and drawings that translate sensory experiences into expressive visual forms.”

Rather than just creating literal documentation of the forest, Pesey said that his work during the residency will focus on atmosphere and mood, emotional memory and coexistence between humans and nature. While there, Pesey plans to create watercolour paintings, ink wash studies, mixed-media sketches, small and medium scale paintings.

Workshop participation

All artists will include a minimum of two workshops where guests can join the artist in nature observation and drawing. The workshops are designed for participants of all skill levels.

“We are initially creating the artist-in-residence program for Cambodia-based painters, illustrators, sculptors, filmmakers, researchers, writers and more – artists whose work is inspired by themes of nature, conservation and tranquility,” said Marsha Niemeijer, the camp’s artist residency director. 

Niemeijer added, “We want to encourage dialogue between the artist, the environment and our guests and build a dynamic community with creative outcomes inspired by nature.”

The inspiration behind the artist-in-residence program came, in part, from The Long Run’s 4Cs operational framework for responsible tourism entities. The 4Cs guidelines place emphasis on cultural goals alongside those of conservation, community and commerce.

Im Pesey currently shows his work at Phnom Penh’s Gallerist art gallery which is helping Niemeijer source artists for the residency program.

Each artist will receive a stipend from Cardamom Tented Camp, accommodation and full board. Artists in the program will donate at least one art work created during their stay for permanent display at the camp.

Bookings to stay at Cardamom Tented Camp during the residencies and further information about the program is available here.

Two additional residencies for 2026 featuring Cambodian artists will be announced in the next few weeks.

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