The Battle for Cambodia’s Heritage: Art Market vs. Preservation

via Antiquities Coalition, 11 October 2023: The Antiquities Coalition interviews experts Helena Arose, Angela Chiu, and Ben Evans authors in a chapter for The Routledge Handbook of Heritage Destruction, who discuss the challenges facing Cambodia’s cultural heritage. They delve into the history of looting and the impact of the art market and armed conflict on Cambodian antiquities. The experts also highlight Cambodia’s efforts in international diplomacy and legal frameworks to protect its heritage.

The art market’s demand for Cambodia’s material heritage has been high since the 1960s, with many of the nation’s sacred artifacts entering the illegal art market. In a chapter for The Routledge Handbook of Heritage Destruction, Antiquities Coalition Director of Programs, Helena Arose, alongside Angela Chiu and Ben Evans, takes a close look at the demand for Cambodian heritage and provides an overview of the history of its looting and protection.

In a brief interview, Helena Arose, Angela Chiu, and Ben Evans answer questions about the history of looting of Cambodian antiquities, the impact of cultural racketeering on the nation, and what lies ahead.