Witness the captivating artistry of Pakan Penn, the "World's Best Animal Impressionist," live at the luxurious Andell Inn on Kiawah Island from April 19th to April 25th. A Cambodian-born master of oil painting, Penn's works, ranging from abstract to realism, promise an exclusive glimpse into his innovative use of color and dynamic portrayal of motion.
Pakan Penn is an oil painter of many dimensions. His artistic range encompasses painting in various styles -- from abstract, impressionism, semi-impressionism, realism, to portraiture. With his innovative use of color and interplay with light and shadow, Pakan vividly conveys motion across a moment in time through strokes of the palette knife and brush.
An American Foreign Service diplomat discovered Pakan Penn’s work in a gallery in Phnom Penh. Captivated by his artwork, the diplomat sponsored Pakan’s application to the Corcoran School of Art, in Washington, D.C. In 1973 when he was 19, Pakan left Cambodia to enter into the Corcoran art program, barely escaping the war-torn conditions from the Khmer Rouge takeover of Cambodia. “To me, art is life,” he says. “Art saved my life. The reason that I’m still alive today is because of art, and I will never quit painting ever, as long as I’m able to do so. It continues to inspire, challenge, and intrigue me.” states Pakan.
His artwork has been displayed and published internationally. Pakan was honored to present a painting of the Chicago Skyline to the former U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House, along with having several of his pieces displayed in the West Wing for eight years. His works have graced the walls of the U.S. Embassies in Luxembourg and Port Louis, Mauritius along with the Japanese Ambassador’s Residence in Washington, D.C. More recently, Pakan was featured as the Lifestyle Artist in the December 2017 edition of the Washington Life Magazine. In 2021 and 2023, the American Art Awards, juried by the top 25 U.S. galleries, named Pakan Penn the World’s Best Animal Impressionist. In 2022, his Keeping Secrets oil painting captured first place in the category of impressionism landscape with life.
Pakan Penn will be in attendance to greet the public as the featured artist in residence at the Andell Inn on Kiawah Island during the week of April 19th - April 24th.
Pakan Penn is represented by Mary Martin Gallery, 103 Broad Street, Charleston SC 29401.
