NHIK DEUM: Former Cambodia's King of Painting

Mr. NHIK DEUM was born February 12, 1934 in aIn 1957, NHIK DEUM traveled to the Philippines, in
remote area, close to a small river, in Reap village,order to participate in painting and publishing
Reap commune, Pearaing district, Prey Vengbook(s), along with other Asian's celebrated
province, into a prosperous husbandry family. Hisartists. He stayed there for six months.
father was NHIK PIDOR and his mother wasFrom November 23 to 30, 1961, there was a
PRUM POUL. Mr. NHIK DEUM has seven siblings.huge exhibition of Mr. NHIK DEUM at Khmer
His too early childhood did not really draw theSportsmen Center. In that exhibition forty (40)
public attention, until he was about ten years old,paintings, most were about rice paddies and the
when the impact of the Second World Warlivelihoods of Khmer (Cambodian) people. It was
steered Cambodia into a grasping interestfrom these paintings that his exclusive talent in
between Japan and France. At that time,using the painting instrument's end and color
Cambodians, as well as NHIK DEUM himself did notmixture and the activeness of the perspectives
enjoy regular education. Fortunately, NHIK DEUMof the paintings. The gained profits were provided
finished elementary school in 1949. Due toto the committee on emergency to save the
curiosity and innate aptitude, NHIK DEUM decidedvictims of natural disasters and other catalysts.
to come to Phnom Penh to master the art ofThat exhibition was also his trial on some "modern
painting at Khemarak School of Fine Artspaintings", which were really difficult arts in
(currently Royal School of Fine Arts), as per thepenetrating into the mindsets of most of the
message from his father and the abbot Sok,public. He personally took note, basing on the art
from Wat Saravoan Dechau. "Wat" is thethat, modern paintings contained interesting and
Cambodian term for pagoda or temple, wherejoyful secrets, and with clear-cut meanings that
Buddhist monks reside and Buddha statues arereflect the nature of human, animal and natural
stored. Wat is the holy place for Cambodianlives.
Buddhist followers.Mr. NHIK DEUM's achievements and aptitudes
In 1949, he became the freshman of thewere recognized in all over the country. Such the
Khemarak School of Fine Arts, where heachievements and aptitudes were published in the
mastered ancient painting with a CambodianKampuchea Today Magazine and Society
professor, named KONG SAR. Mr. KONG SARMagazine in Khmer and French, along with Mr. HUY
remained NHIK DEUM's professor in the secondHEM, and Mr. KHUN KHORT.
year. However, NHIK DEUM mastered with aIn 1963, he left Cambodia for the United States
Japanese professor, named SUZUKI, in his finalof America to master cartoon production for four
year.years. He brightly succeeded in his studies in his
After graduation in 1954, NHIK DEUM become ofartistic life. He returned to Cambodia in 1967,
the staff of embassy of the United States offetching in great hopes and confidences to the
America in Cambodia. On the same year, he gotnation. He became the Cambodia's first person to
married to a really beautiful girl, named MAOproduce animated cartoon. He produced many
SAMORN, who was four years younger than him.cartoon movies.
She is currently residing in the United States ofNHIK DEUM's achievements and aptitudes may
America. Six children were the result of thatnot surpass today's technology; however his are
marriage. Amongst the six children, only thethe initiative of today's.
youngest son whose aptitude familiarized that of"Cambodia has countless more histories to be
his father KNHI DEUM. Unfortunately, due torevealed, and this one is just the so-called
country's grim situation, he was forced to studybeginning. (Vicheka Lay)"
another major. That youngest son is now theShould you need his photo and some of his
doctor in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.paintings, please contact me. .