In visual arts, a motif I have enjoyed exploring through various mediums is the lotus flower, a popular Southeast Asian symbol. Its prevalence in different and similar forms in other cultures’ art, from Monet’s water lilies to ancient Egyptian columns, strengthens my belief in the art’s ability to unite people despite differences in time and location. To me, the flower is a representation of my philosophy: Buddhism, pacifism, feminism and a dedication to my home country.

I imagine lotuses competing to grow in a muddy a pond as analogous to Cambodia’s current state: struggling with inequality and striving to move on from a turbulent past. Like other Khmers, my life and the lives of my family have been deeply affected by violence brought about by the Khmer Rouge regime, years of Cambodian civil wars and the Indochina War. Through the lotus flower, I aim to evoke in Cambodians a reminder of their Buddhist beliefs and present a lasting image of peace.

To paraphrase the Buddha:
If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.