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 and Romcheik 5 Artspace (Battambang).

Selected Group Exhibitions
2020           
"Tomorrow is a New Day," AIR Gallery, Factory Phnom Penh powered by FT Gallery, Phnom Penh, Cambodia 

2020       
Group Exhibition of Cambodian Contemporary Art, Galerie Lee, Paris, France

2019        
Collected by the Romcheik 5 Countryside Museum permanent collection

2019        
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        
Romeat Gallery, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

2011      
French Cultural Center, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Awards
2020       
Winner, Arn Chorn-Pond Living Arts Scholarship, Cambodian Living Arts

​2020      Winner, White Canvas Painting Competition (Japan)

“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)

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

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

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

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

"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)

"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)

"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 carving, L: 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)