Faraway So Close: Building intercultural connections with Cambodia’s contemporary arts
In January 2026, as the northern Cambodia dry season was peaking in Siem Reap, contemporary artists Svay Sareth and Yim Maline regaled a group of visiting Australian art enthusiasts with their positive vision for how Cambodia’s vibrant contemporary arts ecosystem can thrive with integrity. The SM Art Center, located inside their purpose-built family home compound, defines a progressive counterpoint to the darker struggles which enmesh Cambodia’s modern history. As Svay emphatically states, what he wants from international arts engagement is collaboration rather than any need for charity.
