{{short description|Canadian human rights activist, artist and educator}} '''Dany Pen''' (born September 22, 1986) is a Khmer-Canadian human rights activist, artist and educator.
==Early life== Dany Pen was born to a Cambodian refugee family who arrived in America in the 1980s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20150309/ISLAND04/150309723|title=Art Helps to tell story of Cambodian Genocide|last=Moniz-Hardy|first=Jessie|date=March 9, 2015|website=Royal Gazette|publisher=Royal Gazette Limited}}</ref> 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, she and her mother were relocated again to the housing projects of Regent Park.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Assan|first1=Krystle|title=Taking Dany Pen's Pulse|url=https://10thtribe.github.io/featuredany.html|website=10thtribe|publisher=Kulcha|accessdate=April 20, 2012}}</ref>
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.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|last1=Bernews|first1=Bernews|title=Bermuda Society of Arts Members' Show|url=http://bernews.com/2010/09/tonight-bermuda-society-of-arts-fall-show/|website=Bernews|publisher=Bernews|accessdate=September 3, 2010}}</ref>
==Career== After graduating from OCAD, Pen had her first solo art show at The Board of Directors in Toronto.<ref name="auto"/>
The spotlight gave her the opportunity to also showcase her work at XPACE Gallery<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.akimbo.ca/akimbos/?id=19256|title=- Events – Proposal Workshop with Lisa Wohrle June 19 @ XPACE, Toronto|access-date=2017-11-02}}</ref> in conjunction with the CONTACT Photography Festival<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://bernews.com/2010/09/tonight-bermuda-society-of-arts-fall-show/|title=Tonight: Bermuda Society of Arts Fall Show – Bernews|date=2010-09-03|work=Bernews|access-date=2017-11-02|language=en-US}}</ref> in Canada and a solo show at the Society of Arts in Bermuda.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20100915/ISLAND/309159980|title=CAMBODIAN Connection {{!}} The Royal Gazette:Bermuda Lifestyle|work=The Royal Gazette|access-date=2017-11-02|language=en-US}}</ref>
Her art show titled "Deja Vu 1965"<ref name="auto1"/> in Bermuda caught the attention of art critic Charles Zuill, who compared her works to that of post-impressionist artist Paul Gauguin.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20101001/ISLAND/310019977|title=High marks for sheer impact {{!}} The Royal Gazette:Bermuda Lifestyle|work=The Royal Gazette|access-date=2017-11-02|language=en-US}}</ref>
==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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20120817/ISLAND04/708179991|title=The smallest BNG Biennial|last1=Zuill|first1=Charles|date=August 17, 2012|work=Royal Gazette|access-date=November 1, 2017|publisher=Royal Gazette Newspaper}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://arcthemagazine.com/arc/2012/12/capturing-the-ellipsis-the-bng-2012-biennial-of-contemporary-bermuda-art/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224101347/http://arcthemagazine.com/arc/2012/12/capturing-the-ellipsis-the-bng-2012-biennial-of-contemporary-bermuda-art/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=December 24, 2017|title=Capturing the Ellipsis: the Bermuda National Gallery 2012 Biennial of Contemporary Bermuda Art sponsored by Bacardi Limited|last=ARC|website=arcthemagazine.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-11-01}}</ref>
Her artwork ''Grooming Goods'', which spoke to slavery and consumerism, was selected and featured in the 2014 International Bermuda Biennial.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://arcthemagazine.com/arc/2016/04/bermuda-biennial-2016-announcing-the-artists/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401102500/http://arcthemagazine.com/arc/2016/04/bermuda-biennial-2016-announcing-the-artists/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=April 1, 2017|title=Bermuda Biennial 2016 announcing the artists|last1=Howie|first1=Lisa|date=April 11, 2016|website=ARC Magazine|publisher=ARC Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://arcthemagazine.com/arc/2014/08/bermuda-biennial-2014-a-view-from-the-edge/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224042337/http://arcthemagazine.com/arc/2014/08/bermuda-biennial-2014-a-view-from-the-edge/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=December 24, 2017|title=Bermuda Biennial 2014: A View from the Edge|last1=Bynoe|first1=Holly|date=August 13, 2014|website=Arc Magazine|publisher=ARC Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Repeating Islands|first1=Repeating Islands|title=Bermuda Biennial Explores Conflicts in Island Life|url=https://repeatingislands.com/2014/06/13/bermuda-biennial-explores-conflicts-in-island-life/|website=Repeating Islands|publisher=Repeating Islands|accessdate=June 13, 2014}}</ref>
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 the artist with "Best Source of Inspiration".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20131028/ISLAND02/131029742|title=A Mask on Top of a Mask|last=Moniz-Hardy|first=Jessie|date=October 28, 2013|website=Royal Gazette|publisher=Royal Gazette Limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://bernews.com/2015/09/dd-charman-prize-exhibition/|title=Charman Prize Exhibit Highlights Award Winners|date=September 9, 2015|work=Bernews|publisher=Bernews}}</ref>
Her artwork ''Last Breath'' featured in the 2016 Bermuda Biennial.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vimeo.com/213723133|title=2016 Bermuda Biennial|last1=Bermuda National Gallery|first1=Bermuda National Gallery|date=June 2016|website=Vimeo|publisher=Bermuda National Gallery|accessdate=November 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.royalgazette.com/lifestyle/article/20160718/artists-explore-theme-with-aplomb|title=Artists explore theme with aplomb {{!}} The Royal Gazette:Bermuda Lifestyle|work=The Royal Gazette|access-date=2017-11-02|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalgazette.com/lifestyle/article/20160718/artists-explore-theme-with-aplomb|title=Artists Explore Theme with Aplomb|last=Silk|first=Nick|date=July 18, 2016|website=Royal Gazette|publisher=Royal Gazette|access-date=November 1, 2017}}</ref>
==Political and social work== In 2006, Pen became involved with June Callwood Centre (formerly known as Jessie's Centre) 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, but the city councilors' vote resulted in the approval of the building permits.
In 2016, Pen was appointed to serve on the Human Rights Commission as a commissioner in Bermuda.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://bernews.com/2016/01/dd-new-human-rights-commissioners-appointed/|title=New Human Rights Commissioners Appointed – Bernews|date=2016-01-21|work=Bernews|access-date=2017-11-01|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{Cite news|url=http://www.royalgazette.com/news/article/20160408/commission-names-its-latest-line-up|title=Commission names its latest line-up {{!}} The Royal Gazette:Bermuda News|work=The Royal Gazette|access-date=2017-11-02|language=en-US}}</ref> As the Human Rights Commissioner, Pen held special interests in women's rights, gender equality and education.<ref name="auto2" />
Also in 2016, Pen founded the international advocacy group called Women's A.C.T (action, change, today)<ref>[http://bernews.com/2018/10/domestic-violence-awareness-panel-discussion/ Women's A.C.T (action, change, today)]</ref> This organization is about equality, justice, empowerment and support for women who are survivors of sexual assault, violence and domestic abuse.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bernews.com/2018/10/domestic-violence-awareness-panel-discussion/|title=Domestic Violence Awareness Panel Discussion|date=2018-10-23|website=Bernews|access-date=2019-04-22}}</ref>
Notably and controversially, on April 9, 2021, VICE Media Group published an article titled, "These People Were Arrested by the Khmer Rouge and Never Seen Again," featuring photos of Tuol Sleng victims with their faces manipulated — erased and subjectively colorized — by Matt Loughrey, a "self-taught artist". The photos were used without the community's consent, including many of the surviving family members of those murdered at the Tuol Sleng execution site. Pen, along with other members of the Cambodian community, launched an international petition demanding that Loughrey and VICE Media Group issue an apology to the Cambodian community. The petition amassed over 10,000 signatures worldwide, with press releases in the ''New York Times''<ref>{{Cite news|last=Mydans|first=Seth|date=2021-04-13|title=Cambodians Demand Apology for Khmer Rouge Images With Smiling Faces|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/13/world/asia/cambodia-khmer-rouge.html|access-date=2021-08-05|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> ''Washington Post'',<ref>{{Cite news|title=Vice published altered photos showing Cambodian genocide victims smiling. It unleashed an uproar.|language=en-US|work=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2021/04/11/vice-photos-khmer-rouge-victims/|access-date=2021-08-05|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> BBC News,<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-04-11|title=Cambodia criticises edited photos of Khmer Rouge victims|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56707984|access-date=2021-08-05}}</ref> and ''Southeast Asian Globe''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-12|title=Photoshopping history: The true story behind the smirking man of Tuol Sleng|url=https://southeastasiaglobe.com/colourised-tuol-sleng-photos/|access-date=2021-08-05|website=Southeast Asia Globe|language=en-US}}</ref> The petition received worldwide support and direct support from the Kingdom of Cambodia,<ref>[https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50837298/government-smiling-khmer-rouge-photos-seriously-affect-the-dignity-of-the-victims/ Kingdom of Cambodia]</ref> which released its own international public statement.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=Post|title=Culture ministry: Take Tuol Sleng photos down, or else|url=https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national-kr-tribunal/culture-ministry-take-tuol-sleng-photos-down-or-else|access-date=2021-08-05|website=www.phnompenhpost.com|language=en}}</ref> Pen and VICE Media Group were able to reconcile the situation through private meetings. VICE issued a public and private apology<ref>[https://www.vice.com/en/article/editorial-statement-regarding-photographs-of-khmer-rouge-victims/?fbclid=IwAR2yz6Y5iQ2_C83COgkDEPaitvYTBTLmRvTfDVhqip4VbznqGvT76EUcmJ8/ Vice issued a public and private apology]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Editorial Statement Regarding Photographs of Khmer Rouge Victims|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/editorial-statement-regarding-photographs-of-khmer-rouge-victims/|access-date=2021-08-05|website=Vice.com|language=en}}</ref>
==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, she was honored with the "World Builder" award from OCAD University, Canada, which is the highest honors for alumni achievement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.ocadu.ca/feature/the-alumni-of-influence-interviews-dany-pen|title=Instudio {{!}} The Alumni of Influence Interviews: Dany Pen {{!}} {{!}} [cur...|last=University|first=OCAD|website=www2.ocadu.ca|language=en|access-date=2017-11-01}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=University|first=OCAD|title=OCAD University Alumni of Influence 2016 Recipients, Worldbuilder Award, Dany Pen|date=2016-10-21|url=https://vimeo.com/188322166|accessdate=2017-11-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ocadu.ca/alumni/alumni-of-influence/2016-receipients.htm|title=2016 Recipients|last=University|first=OCAD|website=www.ocadu.ca|language=en|access-date=2017-11-01}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ocadu.ca/alumni/alumni-of-influence/nomination-guidelines.htm|title=Nomination Guideline – OCADU|last=University|first=OCAD|website=www.ocadu.ca|language=en|access-date=2017-11-01}}</ref>
In 2017, Pen was nominated as "Woman of the Year" in Bermuda at the Women's Empowerment Summit,<ref>[https://vimeo.com/193734103 Women's Empowerment Summit]</ref> hosted by Today in Bermuda. She was recognized for her ongoing advocacy for women's rights.
== References == {{reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Pen, Dany}} Category:Cambodian refugees Category:1986 births Category:Living people Category:Canadian people of Cambodian descent Category:Canadian women artists Category:Artists from Toronto Category:OCAD University alumni