Apsara. Peach & Saran

While working at Phare Ponleu Selpak in 2022, I had the pleasure of meeting an incredible group of dancers of the traditional Cambodian dance, Robam Tep Apsara. The special aspect of this group is that the entire crew is composed of LGBTQIA+ individuals. During the months of my stay at Phare, I got to know the dancers, particularly Peach and their cousin Saran, two authentic and young people who were not afraid to pursue their dreams of becoming traditional Apsara dancers.

My experience with them and the group of dancers enriched my work, allowing me to document and share their stories of courage and passion. This collaboration expanded my artistic perspective and strengthened my commitment to addressing human rights issues through the lens of my camera. It also helped raise public awareness about LGBTQIA+ issues, demonstrating the power of dance and art as tools for social change. The beauty and grace of the traditional Cambodian dance Robam Tep Apsara, combined with the personal stories of the dancers, create a powerful message of inclusion and resilience.

From this project, I developed a desire to give a voice to the LGBTQIA+ youth of Battambang, which led to the creation of my solo exhibition "Water Tales."