This is me

Different artists express themselves through various media. The sculptor has their clay, the painter has their oils and even singers use their voice to express their emotions. As an artist I draw heavily from childhood memories and experiences. And Cambodian traditional dancing played a pivotal part. While dancing allowed me to connect to and express my culture in new ways, it also set very strict rules separating male and female roles. As a young queer person, the same traditions that made me feel connected to my sense of self also built mental bars that made me feel trapped. This combined with expectations from family, friends and community weighed heavily on me.  While long standing attitudes sought to separate, I responded with harmony. It is in this radical display of unity that I can express the most profound pride in my identity. I hope that my vision shines through my work and on to the next generation of incoming artists to build a more inclusive and accepting world.