“It has always been my plan to be an artist since middle school,” said Cham Phan.
The Sioux Falls-based artist discovered his love of art at a young age. To escape the harsh realities of life, Phan visited parks and the downtown scene, watching the clouds, birds, and people passing by.
“I never grew out of that,” stated Phan. “Combine that with one film photography class in high school, and here we are.”
For 10 years, Phan has worked to produce commercial videos and photo ads for local and international markets. Over the last few years, Phan has had to shift creative gears due to loss of sight and healing from erupted blood vessels.
“Now I’m super sensitive to light, am color blind, and now I’m going blind once again due to inoperable cataracts,” explained Phan.
His work, however, is not hindered by this obstacle since he now creates infrared landscape photographs.
“I will go blind again, so every second matters to me,” he shared. “I want to shoot as many landscapes as I can with the time I have left to see them.”
Learn more about Phan as a local artist and creator.
1. Where do you go for inspiration?
I don’t rely on inspiration, as art is a practice. It takes dedication and routine. Inspiration is fleeting. I shoot every single day, no matter what.
2. What do you love about the Sioux Falls art scene?
I love how underground it feels right now. Some fantastic things are going on, but it’s all on a small scale: 1stGen HQ , Friends of the People Poetry, Rose and Eugene Presents, and Art Collective are some of my favorite spots.
3. What would you tell an aspiring artist whose in a funk?
Don’t rely on inspiration; do your craft anyway. It doesn’t matter what the result is, just continue to refine the process.
INFRARED ART
For the first time in his career, Phan is selling his infrared prints on his website. Gift yourself or a loved one Phan’s work with free local shipping and 25% off.
4. What is something you want people to know about you?
I’m a medical cannabis user. It’s helping slow down the blindness and allowing me more time to create my art.
5. Where are your favorite places to visit in Sioux Falls and why?
I typically treat The Source Coffee Roastery + Taproom or Queen City Bakery as my base camp before heading out to photoshoots or after them to decompress.
