Introduction

Cambodia's recent history is one of a sad, complex and tragic nature.  From 1974 to 1979 the Khmer Rouge held power, and murdered over 1.5 million of their fellow countrymen, in one of the most horrifying genocides of the late twentieth century.  

Until the early 90's Cambodia was virtually sealed off to foreign visitors, and it seemed that the country would slide further into oblivion.  But the fall of the Iron Curtain resulted in the U.S.S.R.'s waning influence in Southeast Asia, and changed the geopolitical landscape. 

It is thus I was able to travel to Cambodia in March of 1997, visit with the struggling artists of Phnom Penh, and make a modest contribution to a country which needs our attention in so many ways.

View the Artworks

 

 

Essay

 

Discovering

Phnom Penh: A Personal Story

View the

artworks

Amit May (right) in front of Cambodia's fine art school in Phnom Penh

Interview

 

An interview with

Mr. Vann Nath: One

of only two artists who survived the Khmer Rouge