Home from the Void [part one]
Maker
Vi Phat
Date1996
Object number00031885
NamePainting
MediumOil, acrylic, on metal
DimensionsOverall: 2270 x 1155 mm
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionA painting on metal titled 'Home FromThe Void' by Vi Phat. The painting depicts a face at the lower center behind cross hatched lines which cover the entire panel.
Most of Australia's Vietnamese migrants were boat refugees who have lived in camps in Malaysia.The camps were reknown for their overcrowding and poor conditions. It was not uncommon for refugees to spend years in such camps waiting to be interviewed by migration officials. It is these feelings of helplessness and fear that the world has
forgotten them which are captured in work 'Home from the Void'.HistoryVi Phat was born in Binh Long Vietnam and after the Communist victory of 1975 left Vietnam as a boat refugee. He spent time in refugee camp in Malaysia before migrating to Australia in 1987.
In 'Home from the Void',Vi Phat comments on the plight of all refugees and their unheard pleas for help. The striking work done on large metal sheets in mixed media show a sea of faces peering through bars. The faces are anonymous.
Chim Hai, Vietnamese poet, wrote this poem on seeing Vi Phats work. The poem, of the
same title, reads:
With such eyes
the child learnt to see through night.
The night voiced no promises.
Those clusters of stars that could not cry
looking at the refugee child with a smile.
They were shut
The doors
There are no more tears
to cry for one more relief
tears flow for the heart
Tears run for the seaSignificance'Home from the Void' is a significant work because it captures the artist's feelings about being a 'boat person' in a refugee camp first hand and recognises that these are problems are faced by refugees around the world today.
19 December 1943
