SEAWALL
“In thousands of years, whether the seawalls will be defeated and we will become no more than those sad nostalgic relics by the seashore, or we will find a way to coexist harmoniously with the nature?”
"Seawall" by Van Ngoc is a collection of collage artworks, each measuring 122cm x 244 cm. Van Ngoc, renowned for his distinctive artistic style, has once again demonstrated his prowess in the realm of visual storytelling with this remarkable series.
Throughout his career, Van Ngoc has explored themes centered around humanity, nature, and the intricate relationship between the two. "Seawall" is no exception, as it serves as the artist's artistic interpretation of man-made coastal defenses. These seawalls, designed to protect human habitats, conservation areas, and recreational spaces from the relentless forces of nature, become the focal point of Van Ngoc's exploration.
In each piece of the "Seawall" collection, Van Ngoc masterfully captures the essence of these structures, portraying the tumultuous interaction between the man-made and the natural world. The predominant color theme of white symbolizes the moments when waves crash against the seawalls, leaving behind abandoned objects, industrial wastes, shipwrecks, and remnants of sea life.
Amidst the raw intensity of these depictions, fragments of mirrors emerge, inviting viewers to delve deeper into the artwork. Through these mirrors, audiences are transformed from passive observers into active participants, encouraged to reflect on their own existence, to ask questions, to seek for answers, and to find answers.
Ultimately, the answer lies within us – the relics of the past, the architects of the present, and the stewards of the future. Those remnants carried in the waves are where we originated from. The seawalls that take in all the hostility from the nature are built by us and for us. We are the past but we are also the present, the breathing part with all senses in the artwork itself. And in the very moment where our lively reflection leaves that mirror as we step away from it, we become the future.
In thousands of years, whether the seawalls will be defeated and we will become no more than those sad nostalgic relics by the seashore, or we will find a way to coexist harmoniously with the nature? Through his elegant and thought-provoking visual storytelling, Van Ngoc challenges us to confront these existential questions and contemplate the role we play in shaping the future of mankind and our planet.
