» Formula and Vaccine

The works Quarantine Area, The Last Piece of Meat, Morning House and Formula and Vaccine form part of Nguyen Viet Cuong’s series Saigon Box, created during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Restricted from going outside, the artist found himself compelled to turn inwards, using whatever resources he could get his hands on to stay creative. Collecting discarded boxes once used to deliver online purchases or relief packages, Cuong painted on the cardboard surface his observations and reflections of a seemingly intolerable period. The imagery ranges from harrowing depictions, such as empty supermarket shelves and barbed wire separating the “infected” and the “normal”, to more hopeful scenes demonstrating human resilience. Through Saigon Box, Cuong transforms the life of a humble container to a holder of unforgettable memories, his works reminding us of the shared experiences and challenges we endured together.

(Edited from text excerpts provided by the artist)