Naga - Peace Monument 

In 2007 I was the artistic director and coordinator for the ‘Peace Monument’ project initiated by the Japan Assistance Team for Small Arms Management in Cambodia (JSAC). The project commemorated the end of the JSAC weapon collection programme in Cambodia. ‘Naga for Peace and Devlopment’ was unveiled on October 9th 2007 and is permanently installed in a public park in Battambang provincial city. The Peace Monument is 6.5m in height.

This monument was designed by OU Vanndy and created by Cambodian artists TOUN Thorneakeea, OU Vanndy, OUK Chimvichet and KIM Samdy using approximately 3000 destroyed weapons. The small arms used to create this monument were surrendered by the residents of Battambang province, following the joint encouragement of government offices, police, Cambodian NGOs and JSAC. The weapons were later destroyed in public ceremonies called ‘Flames of Peace’ in the province. The monument is seen as a symbol of the efforts and commitment of the Cambodian people, and their strong hopes for a safe and peaceful society.