Kosal Khiev is a poet, tattoo artist, and survivor of the US prison system. Born in a Thai refugee camp, Kosal's family fled to the U.S in 1981. At the age of 16, Kosal was arrested in a gang fight and charged with attempted murder. Kosal was tried as an adult and sentenced to 16 years in a state penitentiary. Spoken word became his creative channel to tell his own story and transform his anger, regrets, and experiences into a poetic art form. Kosal was deported to Cambodia upon his release. Here, has been selected as the first artist-in-residence with Studio Revolt, where he is collaborating on "Spoken Kosal: Verses in Exile," a series of short films featuring his poetry. Kosal lives as an exiled American in Phnom Penh where he continues to share his story and art.

For more information please visit: www.spokenkosal.com

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