Phnom Penh: Svay Sareth is celebrated for his profound exploration of themes such as identity, memory, and the sociocultural history of Cambodia, particularly in the aftermath of the Second Indochina War that led to genocide and prolonged civil war in the country. His artistic practice is multidisciplinary, spanning performance, video, sculpture, and installation, and marked by a unique blend of whimsical humor and somber reflections on trauma, history, and identity. Svay’s art often incorporates personal stories that speak of individual and collective history, by extension creating a dialogue between Cambodia’s past, present, and future, and the larger historical narrative—what operates visually to exemplify the small-that-is-large.
Svay’s Asura Sunflower, an ongoing soft-sculpture series that incorporates camouflage-print cotton, kapok, and playful ornamental stitching, illustrates these themes. His earlier soft-sculpture series included works such as Toy (Churning of the Sea of Milk) (2013) and Ruins (2014). Drawing inspiration from the centuries-old Hindu-Buddhist mythological figures of the Asuras that adorn the gateways of Angkor Thom, this bodiless Asura Sunflower, in the Buddhist worldview, embodies the “three unwholesome roots”—moha (delusion), lobha (greed or sensual attachment), and dosa (aversion)—which lead to suffering and destruction. The work serves as a stark reminder of the destructive consequences of these forces. They may also account for the ongoing global conflicts that continue to shape our world today.
On a more personal level, Asura Sunflower reflects Svay’s own experience as a witness and survivor of the Cambodian genocide and civil war—the pain inflicted on his body and the body of his motherland by the manufactured catastrophes, like the stitches adorn the sculpture’s camouflaged skin, representing traces or scars. By blending traditional Cambodian art forms with contemporary methods, the piece speaks of the resilience of the Cambodian people who, despite enduring the horrors of war and genocide, have managed to suppress their anger and hatred in order to forgive and rebuild their nation, like the Angkor that persisted through time and turmoil. This theme of resilience is further underscored by the work’s reference to the repatriation of looted cultural artifacts to Cambodia from around the world. This act symbolizes the restoration and reviving of a nation’s cultural identity and soul, like the glittering gold that punctuates the Asura Sunflower, making the piece more noticeable and powerful. The gold adornments on the sculpture evoke a sense of renewal, suggesting that the old can be made new and relevant again, much like the Cambodian people have done through their recovery from past trauma.
In this way, Asura Sunflower speaks of the Cambodian people’s personal and collective struggles, and is a powerful example of how art can function as a form of catharsis, helping individuals and communities overcome trauma, celebrate their identity, and honor their cultural heritage. Through his innovative use of materials and themes, Svay’s work highlights the possibility of healing and transformation for individuals and nations.
Photo by: Supplied
