Very few artists are able to attend Cambodia's only art school in the capital city of Phnom Penh. Even basic art materials are unaffordable.
Artists paint on cloth instead of canvas, using industrial paints and brushes.
With no network of artists' agents, museum or galleries in Cambodia, opportunities for them to display or sell artwork are near nonexistent. The Cambodian Artists Assistance Project began when Cambodian American artist Domnang Pin returned to Cambodia to visit family and friends. Reunited with other artists he knew in Phnom Penh, he found himself close to tears because of the hardships he saw them endure and promised to help. Ten artists gave him artwork, written personal statements and photographs, and asked him to find a way for them to exhibit and sell artwork in order to live and obtain badly needed supplies. Preview a new Cambodian American autobiographical comic book .