JP Neang
I am proud to redefine what it means to be a Cambodian-American woman, aspiring to break barriers and inspire meaningful impact on a global scale. As the daughter of parents who survived the Khmer Rouge, I knew the path I had to carve was steeped in my ancestors' will, freedom, and future. For my ancestors, creating was dangerous, and being oneself was a crime. As a first-generation Cambodian American, my upbringing mirrored many immigrant stories, where I grew up balancing the urge to rebel with the whispers of struggle.
My life's work is driven by an unwavering passion for education and a profound love for creating art. My illustrations portray scenes of struggle and tension between lines and gravity, which I have come to find comfort in. I hope that those who encounter my work can feel a soft whisper. The use of only black and white and ample space on the canvas allows my work to isolate its pause, like a thought that takes over your sight. It’s like saying, "Hey, it’s just you and me right now."
As a professional artist, I have exhibited my work in galleries across the United States and internationally. In addition to my art, I have been an educator for the past 12 years, developing and building art programs for schools in developing countries and low-income areas. I have designed creative programs in close partnership with on-site organizations to ensure cultural and economic sustainability by procuring art supplies locally. My goal is to instill a culture of creative thinking in youth and empower them with the skills they need to make an impact in their communities. Some of the organizations I have worked with include Itoshima Arts in Fukuoka, Japan, Guinean Arts in Conakry, Africa, and Light and Leadership Huycan in Peru.
www.jpneang.com
How has the environment you grew up in affected your art practice?
As a child, I found it enchanting to create art of any kind. It felt like my little secret, where I could whisper all my stories. Being a first-generation Cambodian American, making art was not considered a benefit but rather a nuisance in my household. Nevertheless, even today, I hold on to that feeling of "creating" like a precious new seed that I have discovered. I nurture it and love it, stretching its limbs to walk among the world.
If your artwork was a mirror, what would it reflect?
Peace and a whisper of calamity.
What is the most difficult part (or your least favorite part) of your process?
As an educator during the day and an artist at night, finding enough time to complete a piece of work is challenging but not impossible.
Pursuing ‘artist’ as a career is not for the faint of heart. What is the most rewarding aspect of this pursuit?
The process of eliminating self-imposed limitations has been one of the most significant and fulfilling benefits I have experienced through art. Pursuing this path is not just a profession but a way of life and a mindset. When you choose to see things from a different perspective, your previous notions and beliefs unravel, revealing that your potential is boundless.
If your art is in a lineage of artists working within similar veins, who would be part of your lineage and why?
The hands of my ancestors guide every stroke and push I make, flowing within my veins and bones. I am their hope for a paradise that they could not have.
