Dayanny

Cambodian Diaspora Artist based in UK.

So

About

Dayanny, a Cambodian diaspora artist, draws upon his personal experiences of surviving the Khmer Rouge regime to create powerful and evocative artwork. Born in the vibrant city of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, his idyllic childhood was shattered when the Khmer Rouge seized control in 1975. As a young child, Dayanny witnessed the horror inflicted upon his people, resulting in the loss of countless lives and profound destruction of Cambodian society. His family, like many others, faced persecution and unimaginable hardship during this dark period. 

At 25, Dayanny moved to the United Kingdom, seeking to rebuild his life. Settling into his new home, he discovered solace through art, using his work as a means of expression, remembrance and resilience. His artwork encapsulates the profound impact of trauma and displacement, vividly portraying the human spirit’s ability to endure adversity.  Dayanny’s unique style blends traditional Cambodian aesthetics with contemporary influences, reflecting his journey as an artist.

Selected Work

Healing Childhood Trauma

Postgraduate MA Fine Art Show,
Arts University Bournemouth | 2024

A man performing a Sampeah prayer gesture before a tree tied with a traditional Krama, symbolizing a journey of healing and connection to Cambodian roots amidst a lush rice field.
A man performing a Sampeah prayer gesture before a tree tied with a traditional Krama, symbolizing a journey of healing and connection to Cambodian roots amidst a lush rice field.
An art installation featuring five grey rectangular display cases. Each case houses a traditional stone-like Khmer statue in a lit lower niche, while a blue-tinted screen above each statue displays a corresponding X-ray or silhouette, exploring the concept of fake goods and cultural authenticity.
An art installation featuring five grey rectangular display cases. Each case houses a traditional stone-like Khmer statue in a lit lower niche, while a blue-tinted screen above each statue displays a corresponding X-ray or silhouette, exploring the concept of fake goods and cultural authenticity.

Tara Project

BA Hons Fine Art,
Oxford Brookes University | 2013

Coverging Boundaries

A Collaborative Show at SpudWorks, Sway, Hampshire | 2025

  • The artist kneels on a tiled floor, carefully unrolling a long, translucent white textile in a studio setting, beginning the process for the Converging Boundaries installation.
  • Strips of white and grey fabric are partially submerged in a metal pot of dark dye, showing the gradient transition of colors as the material absorbs the pigment.
  • close-up, high-contrast shot of an artist’s ink-stained hand resting on a rough wooden branch, with strips of grey fabric tied to the wood, symbolizing the physical labor of the craft.
  • An outdoor art installation featuring long, tattered strips of white and dark mesh fabric hanging from wooden branches against a backdrop of trees and a wooden fence.
  • The artist, wearing a traditional checkered sarong (Krama-style), stands before a branch-like structure in a white-walled gallery, surrounded by ritualistic objects on a woven mat.
  • A top-down view of a blue and white marbled bucket containing dark dye, with two strips of fabric being lifted out to reveal a stark black-to-white gradient.
  • A detailed shot of frayed, translucent grey and white textiles hanging from a branch, emphasizing the delicate, layered textures of the Converging Boundaries project.

Interested In
Working Together?

Contact me at: dayanny4@aol.com

© 2026 Dayanny So. All Rights Reserved.

© 2026 Dayanny So. All Rights Reserved.

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D.S.