Artisans d’Angkor
I hadn’t visited Artisans Angkor in two years, and I was so happy to see that it had recently received a facelift. Everything feels much more organised, considered and beautiful.
This remains one of my favourite places in Siem Reap because it occupies such an interesting intersection between past and present: modern Cambodians recreating ancient Khmer sculptures using a combination of inherited techniques, contemporary tools and our present-day understanding of how the original works were made.
Artisans Angkor traces its roots to a vocational-training project established in 1992, during Cambodia’s period of reconstruction after decades of war. The program later expanded into traditional Khmer crafts, helping young Cambodians develop skills in stone and wood carving, lacquerwork, silk weaving, painting and metalwork.
Today, the renovated workshop is presented as a Living Art Museum. It does not preserve Khmer art by placing it behind glass; it allows you to watch the knowledge being practised and passed on.
I joined another guided tour, which took us through the different crafts and stages of production. I am particularly fascinated by the sandstone carving. Watching artisans transform rough blocks of stone into apsaras, deities and architectural ornaments made me think differently about the sculptures at Angkor.
These objects can appear almost eternal when you encounter them inside a temple. Here, you are reminded that every curve, expression and fold of fabric had to be imagined and carved by a human hand.
The center also dedicates a large section to Cambodian silk production, explaining the journey from mulberry cultivation and silkworms to spinning, dyeing and weaving. The finished textiles, sculptures, lacquerware and other objects are available in the boutique.
It is an especially good place to buy Cambodian art if you would like to support its actual makers (basically buying it) and prefer not to take the André Malraux approach of chiselling sculptures off Banteay Srei and attempting to smuggle them out of the country haha!
I was also excited to see an announcement that a new art center is coming soon. After seeing how much the existing space has improved, I’m curious to discover what they create next.
Artisans Angkor is a must-visit in Siem Reap!
