About Sopheap

Sopheap Nhem In Khmer, the name Sopheap means “gentle and kind”, a reflection not only of her name but of the quiet strength and grace she brings to her life and art.

Born in 1989 in a small, rural village near Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sopheap Nhem grew up in modest circumstances. Her family had few resources, but from an early age, Sopheap showed an instinctive talent for art.

At the age of 14, in a profound act of sacrifice and belief, Sopheap’s mother sold one of the family’s cows to pay for two months of painting lessons, her only formal artistic training. It was a brief but pivotal chapter that lit a spark in Sopheap and confirmed a calling that would grow over the years.


Almost entirely self-taught beyond those early lessons, Sopheap honed her skills with quiet persistence, relying on observation, intuition, and deep cultural memory.

Over time, her paintings began to reveal a remarkable gift: the ability to capture the spiritual light and elegant beauty of Khmer culture with rare sensitivity and depth.

In 2015, her painting titled “Early Morning with the Savior” won the 10th International Art Competition hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gaining international attention.

In 2023, her portrayal of an Apsara dancer was selected to represent Cambodia at the 12th Annual Cambodia International Film Festival, affirming her role as a powerful cultural voice.

Sopheap’s art radiates warmth, reverence, and light. Through every brushstroke, she honors her roots and offers a window into the spiritual and artistic richness of Cambodia.

Her work stands as a testament to what can emerge when natural talent meets humility, sacrifice, and a deep love for one's culture.