An artistic explosion — Angkor Art Explo to be precise — will burst onto the streets of Siem Reap next week when a gang of artists from all over Cambodia ride into town, literally, all the way from Battambang. This is all part of a three-week extravaganza that started in Battambang on October 29, but will kick off in Siem Reap on November 12, involving more than 50 artists, events, exhibitions, parties, workshops, excursions and performances. Most of the events are free, though a small charge is made for the workshops. A full calendar of events is available online, but we give you a flavour of what to expect below.

"It's going to be great! Can you hear me?!!!!"

In Siem Reap on Saturday November 12, the festivities jump into action with the Studio Revolt “jumpshot”. Participants are to meet at 09:00 at Gallery Wat, though the pagoda where it will all take place is yet to be announced online. Here’s your chance to be immortalised in a work of art that will be put on display the next day also at Gallery Wat.

The gardens in front of Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor will be home to an art fair on the same day from 16:00, where you’ll be able to enjoy performance art displays, music and a full market of original artworks and crafts.

Workshops will cover subjects such as screen printing, touring, performance art and how to move your body. One to definitely add to your calendar is This Dog Barking, a conversation on the work of comic book artist Nicolas C. Grey and James Farley. Nic Grey received a lot of recognition during the 90s for his role in the underground comic book scene, but now lives a quiet life in Battambang where he continues to produce art that is darkly intriguing.

We live inside a dream, by Nic Grey, on show at the Hotel de la Paix earlier this year.

If you want to get mobile, there will be an art walk on Sunday November 13, and a cycling excursion on the following Saturday. The latter will take you around Siem Reap to one of the most wonderful ateliers in Siem Reap, Theam’s House. Theam is an endlessly creative individual, and the beauty of his work is pure pleasure for anyone who encounters it.

This is a massive contribution to Siem Reap’s artistic blooming, and all over town during the week you’ll find boundless opportunities for exploration, learning, appreciation and partying. It’s an artistic boom, and it’s going to be fun.

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