Dany Pen is a Khmer-Canadian artist, activist, and educator.
Early life
Dany Pen was born to a Cambodian refugee family who arrived in America in the 1980s. She spent the first few years of her childhood living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada under the sanctuary of the Catholic Church with her mother. In the late 1980s, Pen and her mother were transitioned into the community of St. Jamestown by the Toronto Housing Corporation. In 1995, Pen and her mother were relocated again to the housing projects of Regent Park. At the age of 12, Pen was nominated by her school for the Toronto Star Honderich Award. The submission of her essay "Pride in the Ghetto" granted her the award and a full academic scholarship from the University of Toronto. Pen began using art as a platform for her political and social agendas. She then decided to transfer her University of Toronto scholarship to attend OCAD University. She completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at OCAD in sculpture and installation and was honoured with the "Faculty Chair" award upon graduation.
Career
After graduating from OCAD, Pen had her first solo art show at The Board of Directors in Toronto. The spotlight gave her the opportunity to also showcase her work at XPACE Gallery in conjunction with the CONTACT Photography Festival in Canada and a solo show at the Society of Arts in Bermuda. Her art show titled "Deja Vu 1965" in Bermuda caught the attention of art critic Charles Zuill, who compared her works to that of Post-Impressionist Artist Paul Gauguin.
Artistic work
Her artwork Erasures, influenced by the history of the Cambodian genocide and the Khmer Rouge regime, was featured in the 2012 Bermuda Biennial. Her artwork Grooming Goods, which spoke to slavery and consumerism, was selected and featured in the 2014 International Bermuda Biennial. Her Self-Portrait and Family artwork series, which also comments on her family history with the Cambodian genocide, were featured in the 2015 Charman exhibition at the Museum of Masterworks. She was also previously awarded the 2013 Charman Prize for artist with "Best Source of Inspiration". Her artwork Last Breath featured in the 2016 Bermuda Biennial.
Political and social work
In 2006, Pen became involved with and began advocating for the rights of young mothers and the protection of young girls from sexual abuse. The same year, Pen explicitly spoke out for women's rights and addressed the North York Community Council; the City of Toronto government, and the City of North York to provide adequate housing to young single mothers in the city of Toronto and North York. Her advocacy was challenged by the Bayview community, however the number of vote by city councilors resulted in the approval of the building permits. In 2015, Pen launched an art education campaign advocating for more funding to go towards the arts in the public school system in Bermuda. On February 28, 2015, Pen organized a public march in the country of Bermuda to advocate for accessibility to art education. In 2016, Pen was appointed to serve on the Human Rights Commission as a Commissioner in Bermuda. As a Human Rights Commissioner, Pen holds a special interest in women's rights, gender equality and education. The same year in 2016, Pen founded the advocacy group called . The Women's A.C.T organization is about equality, justice, empowerment and support for women who are survivors of sexual assault, violence and domestic abuse in Bermuda. Through the Women's A.C.T, she also annually organizes and leads the International Women's March for the country of Bermuda advocating for women's rights; supporting women in prison, working with survivors and victims of sex trafficking, sexual assault and domestic violence.
Awards
In 2006, Pen was recognized by the City of Toronto government and former Mayor David Miller for her philanthropic work and advocacy for women's rights. In 2016, Pen was honored with the "World Builder" award from OCAD University, Canada, which is the highest honors for alumni achievement. The "World Builder" award is bestowed upon individuals who have made substantive humanitarian contributions to their community and culture; individuals who are active in supporting global causes. In 2017, Pen was nominated as "Woman of the Year" in Bermuda at the hosted by Today in Bermuda. Pen was recognized for her on-going advocacy for women's rights.
