Brief: A creative collective of photographers partnered with CCF’s Granny Program to reimagine the traditional Cambodian Apsara dancer by portraying elderly women in full Apsara costume, celebrating ageing, resilience and the beauty of Cambodia’s grandmothers, mothers and aunties.
Date: 2024 – 2025
Outcome: The initial project featured two CCF grannies, Mao and Rin, whose portraits were launched on Mother’s Day 2024, generating nationwide attention and fundraising support for the Granny Program. Building on this, Apsara Granny 2.0 was launched on International Women’s Day 2025, expanding to more grannies and intentionally involving female CCF students as photographers, writers, designers and painters.
A dedicated exhibition at CCF and a public exhibition at the National Museum in Phnom Penh showcased artworks and photographs of eight Apsara Grannies aged 61 to 105, with student artists leading the painting and design work. Across the project, students are tasked with storytelling, visual documentation, exhibition coordination and artwork production, while all proceeds from the sale of Apsara Granny artworks and photographs support CCF’s Granny Program for vulnerable elderly women.
A passion for honouring elders through art
Our collaborative creative projects celebrate Cambodia’s grandmothers, mothers and aunties, placing their stories and wisdom at the heart of visual storytelling.
Apsara Granny Portraits
Witness the transformation of CCF grannies into Apsara icons through carefully staged photo shoots, where elderly women wear full traditional costumes and are photographed as symbols of resilience, dignity and timeless beauty.
Student-Led Painting & Illustration
Experience powerful intergenerational collaboration as CCF students translate the grannies’ portraits and life stories into original paintings and illustrations, learning artistic techniques while preserving cultural memory.
Exhibitions & Public Showcases
Step into immersive exhibitions at CCF and major cultural venues, including the National Museum in Phnom Penh, where photographs and paintings of Apsara Grannies invite audiences to rethink age, beauty and respect for elders.
Storytelling & Creative Writing
Explore written narratives crafted by young writers who interview the grannies, document their journeys and shape compelling stories that highlight hardship, survival and the joy of being seen and celebrated.
Youth Creative Development
Support a creative pathway where students learn photography, painting, curation and basic design skills, taking on real roles in production, coordination and presentation as part of a live, evolving arts project.
Art for Social Impact
See how every artwork and photograph created under the Apsara Granny banner not only honours the women portrayed but also raises awareness and funds for CCF’s Granny Program, directly supporting vulnerable elderly women in Cambodia.
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