Chhan Dina

Chhan Dina (born 1984) is a Cambodian painter and sculptor known for her works that delve into themes of nature, wildlife, and the human experience. Her art reflects Cambodia's cultural heritage and the country's ongoing journey of recovery and growth after the Cambodian Civil War, the Khmer Rouge dictatorship, the Cambodian genocide, and the Cambodian-Vietnamese war.

Life Dina Chhan was born in Phnom Penh and spent her early years in a refugee camp in Poipet, a town near the Cambodian border with Thailand. This area is rich in natural beauty but contains hidden landmines and has influenced her perception of the world. As a child, she crafted toys from clay, showcasing an innate artistic talent. Her family later relocated to Phnom Penh, where she encountered Ron Remen, a charity worker who recognized her potential and provided foundational training in sculpting and drawing.

Career Dina is one of the few female artists on Cambodia's contemporary arts scene. She participated in the Cambodian Living Arts Fellows Programme in 2016. In 2021, Dina had an exhibition by the name of "Fly No Fear" at the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, where she exhibited environmental themes to raise awareness about the importance of preserving natural habitats. Dina's work has gained international attention, leading to exhibitions in countries such as Australia, Colombia, France, the United States, China, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. In early 2022, she has opened her own gallery. She also explores themes of nature and wildlife. Her exhibition entitled "On the Verge of Extinction" focused on endangered bird species in Cambodia. "Drawing the Golden Thread" was shown at the Intercontinental hotel and focused on the beauty of Cambodia's nature. Generally, she remarks that ideas for her works spawn when she takes excursions in her local rainforests, noting the haphazardly vibrant gestalt that unfolds as one walks further into the abyss of Cambodian verdure. Translating this into art, each piece features fauna of the rainforest revealing themselves amidst their hyperstimulating environment.

2005: International Cultural Exhibition; Siem Reap, Cambodia 2006: Wildlife Conservation Society; Cambodia 2009: IMPACT: An art exhibition about landmines in Cambodia, United Nations; New York, USA 2010: You Khin Memorial Women's Art Prize, Cambodia 2010: Across the Line; Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2010: The Art of Dirt; Denver, Colorado, USA 2011: Java Arts Exhibition; Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2011: Peace Exhibition; Siem Reap, Cambodia 2012: The Plantation Gallery, Cambodian Mask Project; Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2012: Meta House; Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2013: Equinox Exhibition; Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2014: Meta House Exhibition; Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2014: Intercontinental Hotel; Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2015: Intercontinental Hotel; Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2017: Dina Chhan & Frederikke Tu at Intercontinental; Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2017: On the Verge of Extinction, Inside Gallery Intercontinental; Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2018: Takakazu Yamada & Dina Chhan at Plantation; Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2019: Kbach Art Gallery; Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2020: Plantation Hotel and Palace Gate Hotel; Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2021: Fly No Fear, Project Sofitel Hotel; Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2022: The Chhan Dina Gallery; Phnom Penh, Cambodia