CAO
SOPHOAN

Sophoan Cao, contemporary painter, Cambodian, born in 1975 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and currently lives in Manom ​​in France. A survivor of the Pol Pot genocide between 1975 and 1979. Self-taught, the artist discovered painting at the age of 6, and continued her studies of fine arts in Ho Chi Minh City and then in jewelery in France. She produces contemporary works in an abstract style with very spontaneous gestures to express above all her emotions and leave room for escape and imagination on the canvas.

And also share the richness of its cultural heritage which is Cambodia and its Apsaras. She has chosen to work in an abstract register, more or less figurative, as spontaneous as possible, which allows her to express the deepest feelings. Her abstract painting is full of sensuality inspired by the movements of the apsara dancers of the bas reliefs of the temples. Passionate above all, she leaves on the canvas, an immense energy, an overflowing imagination, a real invitation to travel.

As an artist with a background in graphic design and jewelry, she tended to work in a very controlled and precise style. Her goal is to give the viewer just enough information and let them fill in the details. She seeks to create energy and life in her work. Many of his pieces were done in the expressive style with a subtle use of color. She tends to work on a rather large format. Her canvases often measure between 1 meter and 2 meters and more. In all her work she tries to incorporate the use of contrast and good composition. She often creates rather bold, energetic and dramatic images. She began by painting portraits of famous actors but has since moved on to more personal work, focusing on creating portraits of people who are totally unknown. She also uses her own designs to create more personal work with a deeper message. She feels like it’s much easier for her to create the look she wants by using her own templates. She constantly challenges herself in her painting and although she feels confident in the style she works in now, she will continue to introduce new ways and techniques to take this style forward and develop it even further.