Hengone – An Artist “Born Hungry”

Instagram has become a phenomenal way to discover new and often amazing talent. One of the latest and most promising finds to have their work taken note of on Instagram is the artist Hengone. The motto displayed on his website is “Born Hungry” and taking a look at his work, it’s very clear that, as an artist, he is hungry and pressing toward the goal of fulfilling that passion by creating real and unique art.

Hengone was born in Battambang, Cambodia and arrived in the U.S. as a refugee when he was only 7 years old. Having struggled with the culture shock and completely new way of living, he took to drawing as a way to cope with his new life. Even at such a young age, he found stillness and peace in art that stabilized him from all the movement around him. For Hengone, art became a form of control – a way to feel in command of his circumstances. And in that control, it’s clear that he has found freedom. His work now speaks of confidence and power.

Being in love with all mediums, Hengone prefers not to be put into a box when it comes to classifying his style. He sees the uniqueness and variation of different styles and media and he aims to embrace that. He says that he is more in love with a textured, blank canvas than with the art itself. Spoken like a true artist. It’s the possibility of creating something amazing and distinct on that blank surface that keeps Hengone inspired.

He cites Czech Art Nouveau painter, Alphonse Mucha and the American illustrator, J.C. Leyendecker as his favourite artists. Hengone almost always plays up the hair of his female subjects in alluring and fascinating ways, something Mucha was famous for. But there’s no duplication here, Hengone’s art is 100% authentic and fitting of 2014.

He’s also got quite a following already. Selling his art online has proved successful and he’s got 19 966 followers (at the time of this blog being posted) on Instagram. His catchphrase on Instagram is quite inspiring too, “Never settle, always push and crave for more”.

Hengone’s work can be viewed on his website and Instagram. He also commissions work and sells prints online, from sketches to street art-inspired pieces. Hengone says that one of his biggest inspirations is people. And that’s what’s so intriguing about his work. Its beauty captured in a different sort of way.