The publication Layers of Memory was produced by artist Tran Dai Thang in conjunction with the eponymous exhibition by contemporary Thai artist Vichit Nongnual. This bilingual Vietnamese-English book, translated by Jesse Peterson, is released as a special limited edition.
This is the second publication by Tran Dai Thang, following his debut, I Tell – It All Starts from Books. Unlike his first book, which served as a memoir of his life and career, the author takes on the role of a "companion" in this second work. As he describes it: “If a curator is the one who arranges the story, a companion is the one who walks within it. My task began with selecting the theme for the painting series alongside the artist. After Vichit built the narrative, we engaged in continuous dialogue and debate to forge a unified message.”
The book introduces the creative journey, artistic philosophy, and representative works of artist Vichit Nongnual. In addition to the Introduction, Afterword, and Index, the volume is structured into three chapters:
Chapter 1: Layers of Memory
Chapter 2: Artistic Concept
Chapter 3: The Story of Art
Transcending its role as a mere exhibition companion, Layers of Memory opens a multi-dimensional gateway into Vichit Nongnual’s artistic universe—exploring his works, ideology, memories, and creative life. Through Tran Dai Thang’s perspective as a companion, the book becomes a space for dialogue between the artist, the art, and the viewer, while marking a significant milestone in Southeast Asian contemporary art practice.
