Vann Nath

Cambodian artist and genocide survivor who documented Khmer Rouge atrocities through his paintings.

Vann Nath (1946–2011) was a Cambodian painter, writer, and human rights activist whose work exposed the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime. Imprisoned in the infamous Tuol Sleng prison (S-21), he survived by using his artistic skills to create propaganda portraits for the regime’s leader, Pol Pot. After the fall of the Khmer Rouge in 1979, Nath became one of the few survivors to publicly recount the atrocities committed there.

His paintings, such as ‘Scenes of Torture’ and ‘Prison Life’, graphically depicted the brutality of the prison, serving as evidence in tribunals and educating future generations. Nath’s memoir, ‘A Cambodian Prison Portrait: One Year in the Khmer Rouge’s S-21’, remains a critical firsthand account of the genocide. Through art and advocacy, he ensured the world would never forget Cambodia’s darkest chapter.

Vann Nath’s legacy is preserved in the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, where his works are displayed alongside photographs of victims. His courage to confront trauma through creativity makes him a singular figure in post-conflict healing and historical documentation.