Photography by Prum Ero
Khvay Samnang born in 1982 in Svay Rieng, Cambodia, and graduated from the Painting Department at the Royal University of Fine Art in Phnom Penh in 2006. Samnang spends extensive amounts of time on-site engaging directly and personally with local communities in his effort to research and gain insight on the profound social issues that Cambodia confronts. While exploring new perspectives and interpretations of history, as well as traditional cultural rituals and beliefs, Samnang uses humorous and symbolic gestures to present multiple layers of meaning through a variety of means, including sculptures that incorporate natural materials, industrial materials, as well as installations, video art, and performances in which he uses his own body, and the bodies of dancers.
Samnang is highly recognized for his international activities as an artist, presenting solo exhibitions in venues such as the Jeu de Paume (Paris, France, 2015); CAPC Musée d’art contemporary de Bordeaux (France, 2015), and Haus der Kunst (Munich, Germany, 2018); Tramway (Glasgow, Scotland, 2021); ifa Gallery Stuttgart (Germany, 2022), Tomio Koyama Gallery (Tokyo, 2024); and taking part in numerous international group exhibitions including his participation in the 2017 Documenta 14th and the 2022 Documenta 15th (as a member of Sa Sa Art Projects); A Collateral Event of the 60th International Art Exhibition, La Biennale de Venezia (Venice, Italy, 2024); and The National Museum of Art (Osaka, Japan 2025).
Bio and portrait courtesy of the artist’s studio.
Writing:
Khvay Samnang, Artforum, Vol. 64, No. 6, FEBRUARY 2026.