In 1975, after years of battle, anguish, and pain, Saigon fell. 30 years later, Liza Nguyen made her way across Vietnam collecting soil from the grounds of places of historical significance. And now, Surface, the photographic exhibit borne of her journey comes to Toronto's Contact festival.

I've been to many of the places represented in her series and (to be candid) it's rather incredible how meaningful, and memory-provoking something as simple as a mound of dirt can be. The rich colour and texture of "Cu Chi" depicted here takes me back to the tunnels of Cu Chi, where my guide told me war stories and where I learned of the intricacies of the tunnels' role in the battles.

Nguyen also presents Postcards of Vietnam - a series of photographs shot in various war museums that in lieu of portraying the conventional picture perfect tourist postcard images, depicts the remnants of war past.

Gallery 44
401 Richmond St W, Ste 120
May 5 - June 2
Tue - Sat, 11am - 5pm