2023
When falling into nostalgia, we often search the surroundings for a familiar figure, scent, or sound that could take us back to a timeless realm of memories.
Now living 8000 kilometers away from home, l often find myself seeking a sense of belonging and reminders of family life. When passing by a bunch of green bananas hanging in a grocery store or placed on a small corner altar in a restaurant, I feel as though I were at home. They evoke cherished memories while at the same time highlighting distance and loss.
A common fruit, bananas are also gestures of love and care. I fondly remember going shopping with mom for the most beautiful bunch for ancestor offerings, or how grandma used to reserve ripe bananas for us kids in our kitchen. Their presence brings to mind the fleeting nature of human existence and the importance of cherishing every passing moment.
Having ventured away, I am curious about what drives people to leave and what could be the reason for their return. How will we/they feel when familiar objects brought to a new land will one day be replaced by new familiarities?
Roots & Worlds - Exhibition at Institute of Cultural Exchange with France, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam (2024)
Roots & Worlds – Open Studio at Matca Space for Photography, Ha Noi, Viet Nam (2023)
Roots & Worlds - Screening at Bristol Photo Festival, Bristol, UK (2024)
This body of work is produced during Roots & Worlds program - an alternative school co-designed and run by ICVL (UK) and Matca (Vietnam), supported by the British Council as part of the UK/Viet Nam Season 2023.
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