Larger-Than-Life-Sized Puppetry

Sopheap Pich, one of Cambodia’s most prominent contemporary visual artists, is the creative force behind the astounding puppetry that comes to life with the dancers of A Bend in the River performed by the Khmer Arts Ensemble. Pich works primarily with bamboo, rattan, and other natural materials to create free-flowing, biomorphic sculptures, and installations.

Pich’s work, like that of Sophiline Cheam Shapiro, artistic director of the Khmer Arts Ensemble, is influenced by childhood recollections of life during the Khmer Rouge regime. The Khmer Rouge regime existed between 1975-79 in Cambodia, under the control of the Khmer Rouge Communist party, which resulted in the loss of approximately two million lives through political executions, starvation, and slavery. This caused the destruction of Cambodia and its culture. After the regime fell, many surviving artists of the time period, such as Pich and Cheam Shapiro, began reviving the traditions of Cambodian art. What incredible history experienced by these enduring artists!

Today, the fascinating artwork by sculptor Sopheap Pich is on display in countries across the world.

You must see this amazing work. A Bend in the River brings these fabulous oversized puppets to life in this unique and heartfelt performance. Join me for this rare opportunity!