The Cambodian people have seen massive shifts of the pendulum when it comes to their art, architecture and music.
While the Angkorian era is considered the zenith of the Khmer civilization, arts and culture, this artistic progression sadly reached its nadir when the Khmer Rouge regime singled out professionals and educated people for execution, including musicians, artists and filmmakers.
However, the arts have persevered as a medium for change and free expression in the country, says Cambodian artist Po Sakun.
Forty years on, Creative Industries of Cambodia Association for Development and Advocacy (CICADA), a registered member-based association, is supporting and empowering the cultural and creative industries sector to have a say in the development of the arts in the country.
A new wave of artists, musicians, designers and filmmakers are making their mark on the domestic and international scene and taking advantage of a growing economy and appetite for finding of the arts.
While some continue to stay within the confines of Cambodian arts and culture, others want to push the boundaries and transform existing art forms to better represent a more contemporary artistic expression.
CICADA believes these artists must be part of a democratic and collaborative process to lobby for better policies and work conditions for members of the cultural and creative industries.
Po Sakun is one of the artists leading this charge. The former contemporary dancer is from the coastal province of Kampot and has worked at arts organizations like Epic Arts and Cambodia Living Arts, performing in multiple mediums, and the occasional music parody video to bring attention to the arts in Cambodia.
Sakun says CICADA has conducted introductory workshops on cultural policy in the country where it was clear artists are unaware of the policies that are in place to assist their work but wanted to be more involved in the development of the sector and the better of people working in the arts, who are often low on the totem pole of investment.
“I see some artists or art projects that are already using art to advocate for issues relevant to Cambodia’s situation, such as raising awareness of plastic use, the environment, human rights, education etc.,” Sakun says.
Sakun would like to see the public and private sectors cooperate with artists to make their creative works sustainable and inclusive. A thriving art scene in Cambodia bodes well for its citizens because artists are often changemakers and push the boundaries of society’s creative and moral limits.
This article is an excerpt from "Profiles of Courage." Click here for the full reading.