CHHIM Sothy (born in 1969 ​in Kandal province) lives and works in Phnom Penh. He graduated from Royal University of Fine Arts in 1995, and Chantiers Ecoles de Formation Professionelle in Siem Reap in 1997. He works in the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts as Director at the Department of Plastic Arts and Handicraft. 

Chhim Sothy’s work is characterized by a diversity of styles, often generating spontaneous and gestural abstract paintings, and simultaneously creating artful and well-balanced traditional painting with contemporary elements. He often incorporates mythical characters into his works with an anachronistic color explosion. “I am like a monk seeking wisdom,” he quoted. His works are featured in various exhibitions across the regions.

His works can be found in Cambodian collections as well as in France, Singapore, China, Thailand and Vietnam. 

Solo Exhibition

  • 2018 Remember, Great Duke Hotel, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2018 Boomtown, Meta House, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2014 The Abstract, The New Art Gallery, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2008 Solo Exhibit at Ocean, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Group Exhibitions

  • 2021 Asian-Europe Exhibition, National Museum, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2018 China Asian Expo, Naning, China
  • 2018 Arts and Crafts Workshop, Manila, Philippines
  • 2018 Group Artist Exhibition, National Museum, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2018 Mekong River Art Show, Khon Kean, Thailand
  • 2017 Beijing International Art Biennale
  • 2016 Cambodian Culture Day, Tokyo, Japan
  • 2015 Asia Art Network, South Korea
  • 2012 Beijing International Art Biennale, China
  • 2010 ASEAN Sovereign Art, Hong Kong
  • 2010 4th Beijing International Art Biennale, China 
  • 2009 Exhibition Center Hang Bay, Vietnam
  • 2008 Tembi Joyagarta, Indonesia
  • 2008 Khmer Rouge Reflection, Méta House, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2008 French Cultural Center, Espace Natural, Phnom Penh
  • 2008 Beijing International Art Biennale, China
  • 2008 Art Café , Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2008 Reyum Gallery, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2008 French Cultural Center, Battambong, Cambodia
  • 2007 Java Art , Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2007 Meta House, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2007 Embassy of Singapore, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2007 2 Fishs Art Gallery, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2007 Salt Lounge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2006 Art 2 Gallery, Singpapore
  • 2006 Visual Art Open (VAO), Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2006 Carnet d’Asie, Siem Reap, Cambodia
  • 2006 Elsewhere, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2006 ICOM Phnom Penh, Vientiane, Laos
  • 2006 New Art Gallery @Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2006 Java Art, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2005 Victoria Hotel and Resorts Siem Reap Angkor, Cambodia
  • 2005 Salon des Artistes Francais Parc Floral de Vincenne Paris France and Lotus Art Gallery, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2006 Art 2 Gallery, Singapore
  • 2005 Salon des Artist tes Francoise’s Park Floral de Vincennes, Paris France
  • 2004 Fallac Art Exhibition Guidelinez, Manila, Philippines
  • 2004 Fealac Art Exhibition Guideline in Manila, Philippines
  • 2004 French Cultural Center, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2004 Maison du Chevalier, Carcassonne, France
  • 2004 1st Price of Art Painting by Department of Art and Crafts, Phnom Penh
  • 2004 Gnesha Gallery, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2004 ASEAN Youth Camp in Arts, Siem Reap, Cambodia
  • 2003 Art Presentation at Reyum Gallery under Tittle (Future), Phnom Penh
  • 2003 Art Exhibition, 60th Celebration of Silapakorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
  • 2003 Art Show at Raffle International Hotel Le Royal Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh
  • 2003 Raffle Hotel le Royal, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2002 Providence College, Rhode Island, USA
  • 2002 Exhibition at Providence College @Providence Rhode Island, U.S.A
  • 2002 French Cultural Center, Siem Reap, Cambodia
  • 2002 Art Folio, Hotel Le Royal Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2002 National Cultural Center, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2001 French Cultural Center, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2001 French Cultural Center, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2001 Comme á La Maison Bar Restaurant, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2000 ASEAN Art Philip Morris, Singapore
  • 1999 International Crafts Fair, Bangkok, Thailand
  • 1999 Teuké Bar Restaurant, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 1998 Exhibition at Grand Hotel d’Angkor Siem Reap, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh
  • 1998 Café No Probléme by CEDORECK , Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 1998 Contemporary Asian Art, Hanoi, Vietnam1997 Contemporary Art by Francophonie Association, Hanoi, Vietnam

Art Fairs

  • 2018 Art Fair in Manila, Philippine
  • 2007 Art Fair in Bangkok, Thailand

Workshops/Talks

  • 2018 Indochina Artist Talk, Hanoi, Vietnam
  • 2016 Folk Art Workshop, China

Awards

  • 2011 a Royal Congratulation Letter from His Majesty the late King-Father Norodom Sihanouk
  • 2007 Gold Medal of Artwork from Prime Minister Samdach Hun Sen​
  • 2006 Special Certificated from His Majesty the King Preah Borrommoneath Norodom Sihanouk
  • 2004 1st Prize of Painting (Future of Culture), Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2003 1st Prize of Painting (Life and Nature), Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, Cambodia
  • 2003 2nd Prize of Painting (Utopia, Dream or Reality), French Cultural Center, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • 2000 1st Prize of traditional painting by Plastic arts and handicrafts Department, Phnom Penh, Cambodia2000 ASEAN Art Awards, Singapore, Phillip Moris Group

Collections

  • University of Art Mahadarakhan, Thailand
  • Carcassonne Art Museum, France
  • College of Art Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
  • Vietnamese Fine Arts Association
  • National Art Museum, Singapore
  • National Art Museum Beijing, China
  • Royal Palace Art Museum, Phnom Penh
  • Embassy of Suede, Sweden, Phnom Penh

Education

  • 1985 – 95 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Royal University of Fine Arts, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

ARTIST