បោកគក់ — Macy Castañeda Lee

បោកគក់, Laundry, is a universal symbol of time and its cyclical nature. We all do laundry. We all wait for our laundry. We all rely on laundry. We all hold onto it. But doing laundry is manifested in so many different ways, especially in parts of the world like Southeast Asia. Some people do their laundry outdoors. Some people hang their clothes outside their house, some inside. Some you find in the most random & obscure places. This universal, visual symbol has always intrigued me with its ever evolving unique presentations all over the world. In my journey discovering more about Siem Reap and its people, I used laundry as my guide and mark to strike conversations and meet locals who tell me about themselves and their stories. Looking deeper into the lives of the people in Siem Reap through photography & conversation, I learn more about their likes and dislikes, daily struggles they experience with work and home, and what it means to be Cambodian in this time. បោកគក់ or laundry become more than just wet clothing; it became a strong symbol of hope, resilience, and patience of the Khmer and beyond.

Baokkak បោកគក់ or Laundry is a project on Siem Reap’s people, culture, and color through the symbolism of laundry. This project was done during my participation in the 20th Angkor Photo Workshops and showcased at the end of the workshop on a slideshow.

Baokkak was also showcased in Jakarta, Indonesia - Phnom Penh, Cambodia - Bacolod City, Philippines through slideshow presentations & events by co-Angkor Workshop participants.