In this conversation, host Chad speaks with Kevin Keo, a Khmer American artist and scholar whose work explores the intersections of culture, identity, and creativity. Growing up in Long Beach, California, home to one of the largest Cambodian American communities in the country, Kevin reflects on how his upbringing shaped his sense of belonging and inspired his path as both an artist and cultural advocate.

Now pursuing graduate studies in Museum and Exhibition Studies in Chicago, Kevin shares how his academic pursuits connect with his passion for art as a tool of preservation and expression. Specializing in ceramics, he views clay not only as a medium of artistic creation but also as a vessel for memory, resilience, and storytelling. For Kevin, working with clay embodies the endurance of Khmer culture and serves as an act of resistance against erasure.

Kevin also discusses his involvement in a community arts program that brings together participants from diverse backgrounds, emphasizing the role of art in fostering dialogue, collaboration, and mutual understanding. Through this work, he demonstrates how creative spaces can empower communities, bridge cultural divides, and sustain traditions while encouraging innovation.

Looking ahead, Kevin envisions a future where Cambodian artists thrive on a global stage and where museums dedicated to Khmer heritage become vibrant spaces for education, creativity, and pride. He stresses that art has the power to both safeguard cultural identity and inspire new generations to adapt and innovate.

This conversation highlights Kevin’s journey as an artist and scholar, while underscoring the transformative role of art as preservation, resistance, and community-building. His story is a reminder of the importance of cultural memory and the potential of creativity to shape a more connected and inspired future.