Op-Ed: Who Gets to Pursue and Create Arts?

Designed with Microsoft

In Cambodia, art is more than expression; it is revered as a cultural pillar.

When it comes to who gets to pursue art, access is far from equal. Gender roles heavily influence which young Cambodians are encouraged to create—and which are discouraged before they even begin.

In schools and art programs across the country, boys are often seen as future painters, sculptors, and cultural bearers, while girls are nudged toward more “practical” paths or traditionally feminine art forms like textile crafts and dance.

This silent divide shapes not only their personal aspirations but also the landscape of Cambodian art itself, reinforcing limitations that are only now being challenged by new voices and changing perceptions.

Who Gets to Pursue?

For boys, the path to art often begins with an assumption: art could lead to a profession. While modern Cambodia increasingly values the arts, boys pursuing creative careers are often encouraged, seen as embodying the resilience of national heritage or carrying forward the legacy of traditional art forms.

Art schools and mentorship programs open their doors to promising young male artists, especially in fields like sculpture and painting, which are respected yet dominated by men. Male students often have more opportunities to explore these avenues, with many encouraged to pursue arts with technical and historical significance.

Meanwhile, girls frequently face a different reality. In many families, the notion persists that a young woman’s time is better spent on subjects deemed “practical,” ones that could lead to stability or support family needs.

Art, as a career, is too often perceived as unsteady or luxurious, not suitable for someone expected to prioritize family obligations. When girls do get the chance to study art, their education may lean toward the “softer” forms, like textile arts, crafts, and traditional dance, areas that align with longstanding expectations of femininity.

Who Gets to Create?

In educational institutions across the country, from high schools to universities, this silent divide remains. Women represented less in terms of enrollment in advanced art programs, while male-dominated fields like sculpture, historical art preservation, and digital design attracted predominantly male students. This gap hints at something deeper:

An ingrained perception of who “should” be in these spaces, shaping educational choices in subtle but lasting ways.

Beyond the classroom, these influences shape Cambodian art as a whole. Traditional Khmer art, for instance, features countless male artisans in public roles as sculptors, painters, and builders, whereas women’s roles are often private, and confined to textile arts or ritual dance.

These contributions are just as meaningful, but they don’t receive the same recognition. Over time, this division reinforces the idea that men’s creations are valued as public culture, while women’s are seen as private or domestic.

Some women and gender-nonconforming artists are pushing back, redefining what it means to be a creator in Cambodia.

Neak Sophal is at the forefront of challenging traditional representations of women and sexist elements in Cambodian culture. Likewise, Tyta Buth, who labels her work as Tytaart, whose portrait photography explores themes of identity, gender, and autonomy. In her works, women are no longer passive or submissive—they are complex, emotional, and powerful

They are providing platforms for young women to explore all forms of art, free from traditional expectations. Through these spaces, female artists are discovering that their voices, perspectives, and creations matter just as much.

Final Thoughts

To truly break down these barriers, Cambodian art education needs to foster an environment where all students feel encouraged to explore diverse creative paths. Shifting perceptions won’t happen overnight, but change is already taking root in the classrooms, studios, and galleries that welcome any young Cambodian with a passion for art.

For Cambodia’s art to fully thrive, it must embrace the voices and talents of all its artists, regardless of gender. After all, art is at its most powerful when it reflects the experiences and dreams of every segment of society.

And that means asking not just who gets to create—but who feels free to dream, unfettered by the weight of tradition.