How do rattan figurative sculptures challenge Eurocentric notions of monumentality?

Rattan figurative sculptures disrupt Eurocentric ideals of monumentality by embracing organic, impermanent materials rooted in Southeast Asian traditions. Unlike Western monuments carved from stone or cast in bronze—symbolizing permanence and dominance—rattan works embody flexibility, fragility, and interconnectedness with nature. Artists like Sopheap Pich use rattan to critique colonial legacies, offering narratives of resilience and cultural hybridity. The material’s lightness and labor-intensive process subvert grandiosity, prioritizing communal craftsmanship over individual genius. By centering indigenous knowledge and biodegradable forms, these sculptures redefine "monumental" as ephemeral yet deeply meaningful, challenging art historical hierarchies that privilege Western rigidity. This shift invites viewers to reconsider value systems tied to materiality, scale, and cultural memory in global contemporary art.