Tree of Life
- Julie Gallerist
- Jun 1, 2024
- 2 min read
June 2024 - The Gallerist - Phnom Penh - Cambodia
The Gallerist is proud to present Chan Dany’s latest art exhibition,
Tree of Life.
Chan Dany’s artistic practice demands perseverance, patient repetition and attention to detail, much like the meticulous craft of traditional Khmer silk weaving. Working with organic shapes and patterns, Dany understands the resource and materials. His art is a medium between technique, culture and artisan tapestry work, creating contemporary work that employs a flexible knowledge of Kbach Rachana - or Khmer decorative forms - an ancient code of organic shapes and patterns applied in different styles. Here, we exhibit a series of meticulous and delicate works made with pencil shavings, which from a distance appear to be embroidery.
Dany considers his work a break from the painstaking effort required to make these patterns with pencil shavings. He does not lose himself to abandon, only concentrates his intense patience and skill in a different manner.
As in the aboriginal art, every artwork must transport us to an elsewhere; this is why the paintings seem limitless, without any boundaries as unchartered territories. The paintings can be seen in all directions to represent an universal world. Chan Dany’’s art holds the balance between "fullness" and "form", which are the two poles of his work.
Dany’s crafts pieces embody the organic shapes and patterns while infusing them with his own modern vision. His dedication to his craft and his ability to reimagine traditional forms make him a truly exceptional artist, making a lasting impact on the Cambodian art scene and beyond.
He harmoniously merges the ancient with the contemporary, breathing new life into traditional materials and reconstructing them into exquisite compositions that invite audiences local and global to appreciate the beauty in both the process and the final results. Chan Dany's artistic journey exemplifies the limitless possibilities that come when artistic traditions fuse with innovative techniques.
