Lie of the Land

Land is coveted as a prized possession – one that many people use to measure the strength and power of a country. The landlocked country of Laos has experienced various claims over its land. Despite its independence in 1953, the country continues to bear the scars made upon its soil from past wars; Laos remains the most heavily bombed country in the world with thousands of undetonated bombs still scattered across its land. In this artwork, 'Lie of the Land', by Bounpaul Phothyzan, metal bombshells have been repurposed as planters filled with ferns, making a powerful statement about the resilience of the human spirit and one’s ability to innovate in the face of obstacles.