Fine Art

It’s Okay to Rest, 2022

Pochoirs, Monoprints, Screen print, Foam board, Krama, 24” x 60”

This body of work serves as a reminder for myself, and hopefully other Cambodians, of the importance of balance and self-care in the face of the trauma and trauma-induced work ethic that persists in our culture. Through the use of the techniques of pochoir, monoprint, and screen print, the piece visually represents the victims of the Khmer Rouge genocide, while also conveying the message that it is possible to achieve our goals while also allowing ourselves to rest. The repetition of the pochoir print of skulls on foam board serves as a powerful visual representation of the dead, while the monoprinted phrases "Koun Khmer, It's okay to rest" and "We need you to last" on clear acrylic paper provide a message of hope and resilience. The use of a traditional Cambodian scarf, or krama, to cover the work further emphasizes the connection to Cambodian culture and encourages viewers to take a closer look and engage with the message more deeply.

skull & i, 2022

Inkjet Print, Monoprints, 24” x 48”

skull & i is an exploration that delves into the deep-seated traumas of the Cambodian people and the ongoing struggle to find their own identities, especially my own identity. The work is built upon a foundation of stark and haunting imagery of the dead from the Khmer Rouge, depicted through the work of skull photographs taken from the Killing Fields. Layered over these images are repeated prints and collages of the word ខ្ញុំ "khnhom" (meaning "I" or "myself" in Khmer), which is fragmented and cut in some places while remaining intact in others. Through the medium of collage, I was able to create a visual representation of the messy and complex nature of Cambodian identity, which is inextricably tied to the traumatic events of the Khmer Rouge.

Polaroid Emulsion Lift Study

Gestures of Life , 2022-2023 (in progress)

Falling In the Dark, 2020

4 Tryptics, Digital Images, 4000 x 6000 px (each)

This artwork is a powerful and personal exploration of my journey through frustration, failure, and self-discovery. I began with an idea for a project but found myself unable to execute its vision. I felt stuck, frustrated, and unable to make progress. I tried different approaches, experimenting with various mediums and techniques, but nothing seemed to click. I found myself alone, in the middle of the night, feeling overwhelmed by my own limitations and unsure of where to turn next.

My feelings of frustration and anger began to snowball, leading to doubts about my own ability to create and make art for myself and for others. During the quarantine period, I was in isolation. I felt lost and alone, with no one to bounce ideas off of, and this only added to their feelings of confusion and despair.

It was at this moment that I realized that I needed to relax, let go of my frustrations and anger, and find a new way to channel my emotions. I found solace in my camera and set up to film myself punching a punching bag for 90 minutes. After that, I took self-portraits of myself, capturing the raw emotions on my face and body. At the time, the artist never intended for these self-portraits to be the final product of their project, but as the sun rose, they realized that the photographs beautifully captured their feelings and emotions.