And I Have Had Three Lives, Dedicated to Somaly Hay
- silk, molas, kente, Seminole patchwork, and Cambodian hand-woven silk
- 59 x 55 in
- Ed Johnetta Miller
Both Somaly Hay and I are Master Teaching Artists for the Connecticut Office of the Arts. We met many years ago when we were both lost, trying to find the workshops we were supposed to attend to become Master Teaching Artists. Stopping our cars on the side of road, confused, we started talking and found out we were both searching for the same place. When we finally found our way to the workshop and started introducing ourselves, Somaly's story was truly an inspiration to all of us attending.
Somaly came to the United States as a refugee from Cambodia in 1980. She had been a Royal Court dancer, living very well. And then the war came. More than half of her family, including her parents, was killed by the Khmer Rouge regime. She went from Royal Court dancer to refugee camp to freedom in the United States.
Somaly and I became good friends, and whenever she would go back to Cambodia, she made sure to bring me back silk for my quilts.
- Created: 1998
- Current Location: DECD - 450 Plaza Gallery (North Tower)
- Collections: Connecticut Artist Collection