Magical Cambodia - VAN CHHOVORN – THE ENDURING MAN ETCHING HIS LIFE INTO ART

By Jinx Davis

Van Chhovorn mediates life through his art.

There are times one is drawn to an artist for reasons that seem difficult to articulate but rumble inside you like an ancient memory resurfacing.  Such it is with my relationship with Van Chhovorn and his sculptures and paintings.  Holding a wood carving of his in my hands emits feelings far beyond their sight, touch or smell. The wood quietly whispers to me of a life, a family, and a culture that I may witness but never quite know. To many, this will sound hackneyed but to me, it is the gift that art sometimes offers.
The art for art’s sake argument rings hollow with Van Chhovorn’s work. His recent wood sculptures speak loudly about reality and what is happening in his life and Cambodia. His pieces explore modern-day slavery, gender roles, disabilities, social issues, the environment, love, and cruelty – all from a very personal perspective... READ FULL ARTICLE

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