Cambodia

Cambodia is a Southeast Asian country whose Khmer traditions include sacred tattoos, finely worked clothing and elaborate dance. Its cultural history also includes the great temples of Angkor.

Protective tattoos could combine writing, geometric diagrams and animals. Their importance lay in the design, the tattoo master's knowledge and the beliefs surrounding the work. A sacred marking was more than an attractive picture.

Royal dance transformed the body through costume, jewellery and tall headdresses. Carefully controlled hands and gestures brought its characters to life. A dancer's appearance was part of the story being performed.

Angkor's carved figures offer another view of dress and ornament. They show how richly a person or sacred character might be represented in stone. Tattoos, costume and sculpture belong to different arts, but each reveals the attention given to the body's appearance in Khmer cultural life.