» Hidden place no.2

Still retaining Nguyen Manh Hung’s signature pairings of paradoxical symbolisms as well as his unmistakable sense of humor, All abroad and Hidden place no. 2 belong to the artist’s latest body of work that offers a playful critique on understandings of the afterlife. A faithful follower of Buddhist philosophy, Hung interprets death as a journey and karma as its luggage, laden with both the good and bad deeds of daily life. Some prepare for their post-life with sophisticated funeral rituals while others set out to fill their luggage with only good karma in the hope of arriving at a place that may not even exist. Depicted in the works are scenes of armed troops in the midst of defending, or frenzied crowds hurriedly and desperately holding on to sacred gates from various religions, against objects of ritual and solemn religious architecture – supposedly sacred sites where people venerate the divine. The works poke fun at the living’s obsession with heaven – a realm that exceeds the comprehension of earthly beings. Even though most religions believe in life after death, each having a different way of defining heaven and who may enter, their teachings often refer to heaven as a condition rather than as a specific place. Death is profoundly personal and unique: how we live will determine how we prepare for this journey and what lies on the other side of life. 

(Edited from excerpts provided by Galerie Quynh)