Mao Sovanchandy

Chandy was born in Battambang, live and work in Phnom Penh. She graduated from Paragon International University with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture in 2020. She later completed the Contemporary Documentary & Photograph Program in 2020 and the English for Artists lead by Prumsodun Ok and Vuth Lyno.

Mao Sovanchandy is an architect, photographer, and artist whose work explores social structures and norms from her self-reflection and experiences. She finds inspiration from the surrounding environment of the fast-growing context of Phnom Penh, which is full of historical and cultural values. She has an enthusiasm for photography and old heritage buildings. She often experiments with different conceptual photography that tells a story and evokes further discussion. She believes in the arts that express imagination to create reflections and trigger thoughts and build potential reimagination from a different perspective.

As a rising artist, she participated in group exhibitions such as the graduates' exhibition of Contemporary Art Class, Sa Sa Art Projects, 2021; Penh Art exhibition, 2021; and Galerie Quynh, 2021. She was also an active intern and volunteer in the New Khmer Architecture research projects in which she interviewed elders about the heritage buildings and created cinemas about them. Such projects were the Vann Molyvann Project, Roung Kon Project, and the city hall of Phnom Penh from 2018 to 2020.