"Things to remember" drawings

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THE CONCEPT

Things to remember

My idea is nostalgia put in an absurd context .
As Vietnamese lifestyle gets more pragmatic and less poetic over time, our old values really struggle surviving. What used to define us Vietnamese may one day live only in our hearts. I want to depict the feeling of confusion and ambiguity of people as they again try to escape reality and find beauty in what has passed.

CHARACTER SKETCH

Find style for the characters

Characters occupy central positions in my works. Therefore I find it important to stylize the character. Unlike my previous works, this time I want to mix a little bit of the 'realistic feel' while minimizing the character's body form and movement.

I. PHO | phở

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Pho is so familiar as it appears almost in everyday of our Vietnamese lives. The Vietnamese and Pho are truly connected. Pho is part of what defines us Vietnamese. We create Pho. And we love Pho.

To express the two statements above, I think of the phrase "to immerse yourself in Pho". So I try to visualize it. The character becomes a main component of pho, implying an intimate engagement and our creation to this traditional food.

II. PLAYING ON THE SALT FIELD | Chơi đùa trên ruộng muối

Sea surrounds Vietnam, and salt farming has had a long history here. There are so many photographers and artists presenting their works that capture poetic and epic moments of farmers working on the salt field. Though as beautiful as they are, I find drudge covering the artwork's atmosphere.

Reality does not matter much to me in this project. So I want to express something that looks happier.

III. STUDENT LOVE | Tình cảm học trò

Student love is the purest.

Of course, the Vietnam student love has its own colors too. First, it's the love story in student uniform. Second, it's the love story built by time spent at stone seats, memories of summers under the flamboyant trees, small talks at sidewalk food stalls and dreams shared together. Many student love stories in Vietnam share the same experience.

IV. HOMETOWN (chosen sketch to digitalize) | Quê hương

--------------------------- Chosen sketch to digitalize ----------------------------

This is a work I focus on the most even though its meaning is very simple.

If you are a Vietnamese, many times you will hear those statements that share the same meaning: "the love for our country runs in our blood, bone and flesh". Basically, all I do is visualizing this ambiguous, abstract sayings.

I use multiple Vietnamese materials such as Ao Dai, Lotus (which is considered our national flower), banana leaves, and buildings inspired by Hoi An ancient town.