A work of art

Documentary highlights work of master ceramicist, MCC professor

lowell » Vibol Sungkriem feels Cambodians have a lot of untold stories.

That feeling led the Cambodian American filmmaker to direct and produce his new documentary, titled “Yary Livan: Khmer Traditional Ceramic Artist.”

The documentary tells the story of Yary Livan, one of just two master Cambodian ceramicists in the world and a 2015 National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow.

Livan also serves as a ceramics professor at Middlesex Community College.

Sungkriew was first introduced to Livan at his art studio in Western Avenue Studios by a friend who suggested featuring Livan for the documentary.

Sungkriem was hesitant about the idea at first, due to his lack of knowledge about ceramics, he said in a MCC press release. However, after seeing Livan’s work, he was inspired to move forward with the project.

According to Sungkriem, Livan’s rarity got the best of him.

“I knew of the importance of his work and to document it for