An exhibition celebrating the resurgence of Cambodian pottery takes place this weekend at The Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh.
“The purpose of the exposition is to present the rebirth of ceramic achievement that has almost disappeared since the Angkor era,” said Chhun Pok, professor of ceramics. “We want people to see that Khmer ceramics are back.”
Most Cambodians, he noted, have only seen imported ceramics. The exhibition features more than 200 pieces made by teachers and students, including mugs, plates and sculptures.
The exposition runs from 9 am to 5 pm Saturday and 8 am to 5 pm Sunday at the university classrooms behind the National Museum.
It is funded by the Japan Sotoshu Relief Committee, which has provided ceramics training to local artisans in Battambang and Kompong Chhnang provinces.
Those residents are among a small group left in Cambodia who still produce traditional earthen pots to help support their families, Chhun Pok said.
