Van Chhovorn  
(b. 1982, Site II Refugee Camp, Thailand)
Van Chhovorn was born in a refugee camp for Khmer Rouge genocide survivors in Thailand in 1982. Later, as a young man, he was enslaved on a fishing vessel in the Gulf of Thailand with 24 other Cambodian and Burmese men for more than two years. 
He luckily regained his freedom through much hardship and was able to study at a free non-profit art school, Phare Ponleu Selpak, in Battambang, Cambodia where he became a wood sculptor and painter. 
Important to his career is a recurring dream where an ancient “Dream Teacher” speaks to him and shows him what to do and which pieces of wood to select for his sculptures. 
He currently resides in Battambang with his family and is pursuing his art career in collaboration with Open Studio Cambodia (Siem Reap) and Romcheik 5 Artspace (Battambang).

Selected Group Exhibitions & Awards

2021           “Hope on the Horizon,” Open Studio Cambodia, AIR Gallery,                             Factory Phnom Penh, powered by FT Gallery

2020          Group Exhibition of Cambodian Contemporary Art, Galerie Lee,                       Paris, France
                  “Tomorrow is a New Day,” Open Studio Cambodia, AIR Gallery,                          Factory Phnom Penh, powered by FT Gallery
                  “Romcheik 5 + Kampot 1 = 282,” Pi-Pet-Pi Art Gallery, Phnom                            Penh, Cambodia
                    Arn-Chorn Pond Scholarship Grantee, Cambodia Living Arts,                          Phnom Penh, Cambodia
                    White Canvas Painting Competition winner, Social Compass,                            Phnom Penh, Cambodia
                    United Nations Human Rights Day Conference, invited teaching                      artist, exhibiting artist, Phare Ponleu Selpak, Battambang,                                  Cambodia

2019            Collected by the Romcheik 5 Countryside Museum permanent                          collection
                    Battambang Art Festival, Battambang, Cambodia

2016            The Giant Puppet Project, Siem Reap, Cambodia

2012            “Tonle Mekong,” United States of America Embassy, Phnom                               Penh, Cambodia     

2012              Sammaki Gallery, Battambang, Cambodia

2011               Romeet Gallery, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

2011              French Cultural Center, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

“Slave’s Prayer” (2020) Van Chhovorn Acrylic on canvas 23,5 x 23,5 inches (60 x 60 cm) - SOLD

“Omniscient” (2020) Van Chhovorn Acrylic on canvas, 39,5 x 39,5 inches (100 x 100 cm)

“Footprints of Destiny” (2020) Van Chhovorn Acrylic on canvas, 39,5 x 39,5 inches (100 x 100 cm)

"Hunger of Slaves" (2020), Van Chhovorn, acrylic on canvas, 39 x 42 inches (100 x 107 cm)

“Breathing Again” (2020) Van Chhovorn Acrylic on canvas, 19,5 x 15,5 inches (50 x 39 cm) - SOLD

"One Day Equals One Year" (2020), Van Chhovorn, acrylic on canvas, 39 x 33.5 inches (100 x 85 cm) - SOLD

"New Life" (2020) Van Chhovorn, acrylic on canvas, 27.5 x 27.5 inches (70 x 70 cm)

(2020) Van Chhovorn Acrylic on canvas 39 x 23.5 inches (100 x 60 cm) SOLD

(2020) Van Chhovorn Acrylic on canvas 39 x 23.5 inches (100 x 60 cm)

"Hunger of Slaves II (Self-Portrait)" (2020) Van Chhovorn, acrylic on canvas, 33.5 x 39 inches (85 x 100 cm) SOLD

"The Artist and His Mother, Site II Refugee Camp" (2020), Van Chhovorn, acrylic on canvas, 16 x 24 inches (41 x 61 cm) SOLD

"The Artist and His Brother, Site II Refugee Camp, 1988" (2020), Van Chhovorn, acrylic on canvas, 16 x 24 inches (41 x 61 cm)

"Ancient Khmer Girl I" (2020), Van Chhovorn, watercolor, graphite, 11 x 15 inches (28 x 38 cm)

"Ancient Khmer Girl II" (2020), Van Chhovorn, watercolor, graphite, 11 x 15 inches (28 x 38 cm)

"Ancient Khmer Girl III" (2020), Van Chhovorn, watercolor, graphite, 11 x 15 inches (28 x 38 cm)

"Ancient Khmer Girl IV in the Era of Corona" (2020), Van Chhovorn, watercolor, graphite, 11 x 15 inches (28 x 38 cm)

"The Endless Wait of the Fisherman's Wife and Daughter" (2020), Van Chhovorn, watercolor, graphite, 11 x 15 inches (28 x 38 cm)

"Good Luck Fish" (2019), Van Chhovorn, acrylic on canvas, 12 x 27.5 inches (30 x 70 cm ) - SOLD

"Hybrid" (2019), Van Chhovorn, acrylic on canvas, 12 x 27.5 inches (30 x 70 cm) - SOLD

"Virtuous Elephant" (2020), Van Chhovorn, watercolor, 38 x 28 cm (15 x 11 inches)

"Dream Teacher" (2019), Van Chhovorn, Wood carving, 38 inches (96 cm)

"Feminine" (2019), Van Chhovorn, Wood carving, 19 inches (48 cm) (Front) SOLD

"Ratanakiri Tribe Girl" (Front) (2019), Van Chhovorn, Wood carving, 24 x 9 inches (62 x 23 cm) SOLD

"Pray for Food" (Front) (2019), Van Chhovorn, Wood sculpture, L: 28.5 inches (72 cm) SOLD

"The Emperor" (Front) (2019), Van Chhovorn, Wood carving, L: 22 inches (56 cm)

"Mother Owl" (Front) (2019), Van Chhovorn, Wood carving, L: 33 x 19 inches (84 x 48 cm )

"Compassion Hand" (Front) (2019), Van Chhovorn, Wood carving, L: 27 inches (69 cm) SOLD

"Hope" (Front) (2019), Van Chhovorn, Wood carving, L: 18.5 x 8 inches (47 x 20 cm)

"Evil Mind" (Front) (2019), Van Chhovorn, Wood carving, L: 25 inches (63 cm)

"Pregnancy Process" (2019), Van Chhovorn, Wood carving, L: 54 inches (136 cm)

"Fight for Life" (2019), Van Chhovorn, Wood carving, L: 27.5 inches (70 cm) SOLD

"Spirit of Mercy" (Front) (2019), Van Chhovorn, Wood carving L: 25 x 8 inches (64 x 20 cm)

"Patience" (Front) (2019), Van Chhovorn, Wood carving, L: 11.5 inches (29 cm)

"Devadatta" (2019), Van Chhovorn, Wood carving, L: 23.5 inches (60 cm)

"Giving Birth" (2019), Van Chhovorn, Wood carving, L: 15 x 8 inches (38 x 20 cm)

"Primitive Mother" (2019), Van Chhovorn, Wood sculpture, 45 x 17 inches (115 x 43 cm)

"Khmer Girl" (2019), Van Chhovorn, Wood carving, L: 47 x 14.5 inches (120 x 37 cm)