Norwyn

'Fragments of the Guardians' is a solo exhibition by Nyan Win Maw (aka Norwyn), a Myanmar-born artist currently based in Phnom Penh.

The exhibition presents works in acrylic on paper and canvas, exploring mythical creatures from both Myanmar and Khmer traditions.

These guardians (dragons, lions, ogres and hybrid beings) are rendered in luminous gold tones and adorned with intricate traditional floral motifs, echoing the grandeur of Southeast Asia’s sacred art heritage. Yet these figures are not whole. Across the series, the mighty guardians appear fractured, shattered or partially ruined. Beneath their ornate surfaces, skeletal structures emerge, exposing what lies underneath the beauty, power and mythology. The golden forms suggest glory, divinity and royal history; the broken bodies speak of vulnerability, endurance and survival.

Inspired by the powerful civilisations of Myanmar and the Khmer Empire, cultures shaped by strength, spirituality and artistic brilliance, this body of work reflects on how even the greatest histories carry scars. Through surreal compositions and symbolic fragmentation, Norwyn contemplates the contrast between past magnificence and present realities marked by conflict, loss and collective trauma.

Fragments of the Guardians is not only about destruction. It is about resilience. Even in pieces, the guardians remain standing. Even when cracked, gold still shines.

Please attend to celebrate Norwyn's first solo exhibition in Cambodia.

Venue: Meta House Phnom Penh

Date: Tuesday, 17th March 2026

Time: 6 to 11.30 pm  

Tickets: Free entry

Click here for more info and to register.