Celebrating the past and the present at the new Capri by Fraser, Phnom Penh / Cambodia

A picture paints a thousand words.

That’s why at Capri by Fraser, art plays such an important role in its design ethos. After all, who better to portray the culture and history of a country than its very own artists? With their uncanny eye and finger on the pulse of society, they create vivid images of everyday life and people in a city that is constantly changing with the times.

In every Capri by Fraser, we work very closely with talented local artists whose works bring life to all corners from the lobby to restaurants, The Den, and all its guest rooms. Whether it’s a colourful painting, an eye-catching installation or distinctive sculpture, they all tell stories that resonate with our guests, who immediately feel a close connection to the place they are in.

At the brand new Capri by Fraser, Phnom Penh / Cambodia, our designers worked with established artists such as Im Pesey, Sothea Tang and Ouk Chim Vichet to tell similar stories through their works. From Cambodia’s ancient past to its modern present, these artists capture the spirit and essence of a country where old and new co-exist with each other.

“At the same time though, we wanted to show a transformation over time of the old building. Its strong features and its heritage-protected interiors had to be softened by moderate, modern pieces – and elements from the periods of time where the building had been renovated before. Like in a private house, we wanted to show the development of the place during the last 100 years.”

That effort has been a stunning success. In June 2021, JOI-Design was awarded an LIV Hospitality Design Award in the interior design living space category. Since then the agency has added the Architecture Award at the Iconic Awards 2021, and the Interior Design Award at the Golden Novum Design Awards. 

Murals by Pesey

Scenes of a city transitioning into the future are captured in Pesey’s colourful murals that depict everyday life with a sense of humour and whimsy. A graduate of the Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh, Pesey grew up in the agricultural province of Prey Veng. He sees art as an integral part of the human experience that transcends time and cultures, and hopes his art can reach a wider audience and raise awareness of the Cambodian art scene.

For Capri by Fraser, Phnom Penh, he has created two large murals for The Den, depicting lively modern streetscapes that match the contemporary energy of this social space. Each work is an imaginative collage of traditional and cultural architecture motifs, morphing into a vibrant modern  metropolis. One features quirky images of a skateboarder soaring past old buildings and rickshaws towards the shiny skyscrapers beyond, evoking memories of humble beginnings while looking ahead to the future. The other depicts how the humble tuk-tuk evolves into the modern automobile, an imagery on rapid industrialization.

The narrative continues from The Den to each of the 86 guest rooms, where Pesey has fun illustrating multiple scenes of Cambodian life. Each artwork features unique perspectives of the city, showcasing temples and architectural landmarks while capturing slices of life such as street vendors pushing food carts and people going about their business on bicycles and motorbikes. There is a sense of youthful energy in the paintings as they feature activities such as skateboarding, rollerblading and cycling on the streets.

Hanging Sculpture by Sothea Tang

Meanwhile, hanging above The Den is an ephemeral hanging sculpture that resembles a series of wispy lanterns floating in the ceiling. This work by Sothea Tang is inspired by the handmade lanterns often found outside Cambodian homes. Such lanterns are also synonymous with New Year celebrations, when they are placed on the water or sent into the sky. An architect by training who became a self-taught artist, Tang’s background is evident from the clean lines of the lanterns which evoke a sense of movement and freedom.

Ouk Chim Vichet's Sculpted Panels 

In contrast to the weightlessness of Tang’s lanterns, Ouk Chim Vichet’s sculpted panels in Caprilicious restaurant and the VIP rooms feature stronger, geometric lines that portray Cambodia’s progress in a more abstract form.

Vichet is an artist who also works with materials such as metal, stone and wood. His work explores themes of Cambodian identity and culture and for Capri by Fraser, Phnom Penh he makes use of bas relief and kbach angkor elements to illustrate a modern world built on its past. The buildings are represented by strong geometric patterns and the road depicts the energy of the city.

Phnom Penh is a fast-growing city with rich cultural traditions embedded into the modern landscape. Together with these three artists, Capri by Fraser Phnom Penh has created a vibrant, creative space for urban travellers to appreciate local culture while seeking new experiences in the city.