In Vandy Rattana's prolific work as a photojournalist and artist, Rattana avoids making stock images of Cambodia – politicians, monks, palaces and poverty. Instead, he captures intimate moments of people’s lives.
Vandy Rattana was born in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in 1980. He lives and works between Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Paris, France; and Taipei, Taiwan. Self-taught, Vandy began to record the daily activities of his family in 2005, which became the subject of his first acclaimed exhibition in Phnom Penh. He has since attended workshops with visiting artists and photographers, including Magnum Photo Agency’s John Vink and Antoine D’Agata.
His solo exhibitions include In My Office (Popil Photo Gallery, 2006), and Chess (Hotel de la Paix Arts Lounge, 2007). Group shows include Norderlicht Photo Festival (2006), Mekong Arts and Culture Project (2007), the Gwanghwamoon International Art Festival in Seoul and Strategies from Within at Ke Center for Contemporary Art, Shanghail (2008). He will represent Cambodia in the Asia Pacific Triennial in 2009 with the Fire of The Year series he is showing for the first time in Forever Until Now.
Vandy is a catalyst for creating community among photographers and artists in Cambodia. He is the founder of Steiv Salapak, an art collective and gallery in Phnom Penh.