10 - 4 - 2006
An image from “History of My Family”, a series of fourteen vivid paintings by Svay Ken, depicting the experiences of his family during the Khmer Rouge regime.
The Meeting (History of My Family Series, No. 7), Svay Ken“We met only with our eyes, checking to see if the others were still alive by whether they were sitting with their group or not.” – Svay Ken
Once a month, Angkar called a big meeting of the working groups. Everyone had to listen without questioning to the ideas and orders of Angkar. It was at these meetings, though, that families could meet.
Once a month, Angkar called a big meeting of the working groups. Everyone had to listen without questioning to the ideas and orders of Angkar. It was at these meetings, though, that families could meet.
Svay Ken was born in the Takeo Province, Cambodia. He became a novice monk at the age of 14, but left the order in 1952 in order to help his family by working in the fields. In 1955, he ventured to Phnom Penh in search of work, and became a waiter and a handyman at the Hotel le Royal. In 1975 the Pol Pot regime forced Svay Ken and his wife and children to flee the city and return to Takeo Province. Four years later, he and his family returned to Phnom Penh and Svay Ken resumed working at the hotel until he retired in 1994.
It was during his later years of working at the hotel that he began drawing and painting vivid scenes of everyday Cambodian life, scenes depicting Cambodia's civil war (1970-75), and the terror of the Khmer Rouge (1975-78). Svay Ken intends for his works to remind future generations of the events of the past and his work has garnered international attention. He was recently chosen as Cambodia's entry in the Fukuoka Art Trienniale and his works have appeared in Asian Art News, Vietnam Times, and the New York Times.
To view the entire collection: click here (then click on the title of each artwork)
It was during his later years of working at the hotel that he began drawing and painting vivid scenes of everyday Cambodian life, scenes depicting Cambodia's civil war (1970-75), and the terror of the Khmer Rouge (1975-78). Svay Ken intends for his works to remind future generations of the events of the past and his work has garnered international attention. He was recently chosen as Cambodia's entry in the Fukuoka Art Trienniale and his works have appeared in Asian Art News, Vietnam Times, and the New York Times.
To view the entire collection: click here (then click on the title of each artwork)
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