KHCHAO Touch (born in 1982 in Battambang province) lives and works in Battambang. She trained at the Phare Ponleu Selpak art school from 1998-2003 and became a teacher there until 2008 when she left to pursue her artistic career full time. She works in a variety of mediums; From oil painting, acrylic, watercolor, to printmaking, sculptures, and installations. Her inspiration comes from nature by creating a sense of connection with the universe and its creatures. Touch’s is very spontaneous and heart-felt; an extension of the artist’s energetic sense and approach to life.

Since then she has had solo exhibitions at the French cultural centre and the Art Café in Phnom Penh, the Hotel de la Paix, Heritage suites Hotel and The French cultural centre in Siem Reap, as well as participating in numerous group exhibitions in Cambodia and abroad. Touch was a residency at Atelier Fenetre sur rue in Bordeaux, France (2007) and Long Beach USA (2009), where she made an installation and residency at the 2nd City gallery. She was a nominee for the Sovereign Asia Art Prixe 2009 and 2020. She was runner up in the “You Khin Memorial Women’s Art Prize ” 2010 and also listed in Southeast Asia Globe magazine’s top 10 Cambodian artists feature. She opened Lotus Gallery in Battambang with her husband after a few years as a homemother. Her recent solo exhibition “I am nature?” at Mirage Contemporary art space (2020), Siem Reap and won the silver prize in the White Canvas Art competition in Phnom Penh (2020). 

Solo Exhibition

  • 2020 “I am Nature?”, Mirage Contemporary Artspace, Siem Reap, Cambodia.
  • 2017 “Take a Breath”, ARTillery, Siem Reap, Cambodia.
  • 2017 Permanent Solo, Lotus Gallery, Battambang, Cambodia.
  • 2010   “Care”, Heritage Suites Hotel, Siem Reap, Cambodia.
  • 2009  “Living Nature”, Arts Lounge, Hotel de la Paix, Siem Reap, Cambodia.
  • 2009 “Care”, Art Cafe, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
  • 2008  “Hygiene”, French Cultural Center, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Group Exhibitions

  • 2017 “Whatever Comes”, Neverland Art Space, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
  • 2014 Installation on Pedestrian Bridge for “Our City“ Festival, Battambang, Cambodia.
  • 2011  Group show of Women Artists, French Cultural Center, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
  • 2011  “9 Faces”, Meta House, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
  • 2009  “Still Waters”, Bophana Audiovisual Resource Center, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
  • 2008  “Art of Survival”, Meta House, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Residencies

  • 2009 Second City Art Gallery, Long Beach, California, U.S.A.
  • 2008  Fenetre sur Rue, Bordeaux, France.

Awards, honors, and press coverage

  • 2011  Runner up. You Khin Art Prize for Women Artists. Java Arts and The American Embassy, Phnom Penh.

Work Experiences

  • 2014-Present Co owner and resident Artist, Lotus Gallery, Battambang, Cambodia.
  • 2009-Present Private Art teacher and Artist painting commissioned work.

ARTIST