Made In Viet Nam

My first time in Viet Nam was as a very young army platoon leader. The experience transformed me and shaped the rest of my life forever. Please don’t ask me what war is like. I can’t tell you. If I could truly relate the experience I would be the greatest artist of all time. I know of no one who has done it. If they had, there would be no war. It’s like asking a child what is birth or a dead man what is death. There just is no telling this.

These images are from my second trip. It’s a country of extreme contrast, with a long history of conflict but somehow the culture has a most profound sense of future which you see in the faces of the people you meet.

For me it’s a place of both very horrific and also very beautiful memories. These images are a chronicle of my trip and a reflection of my past. They are a walk in light after a journey through darkness. Most important, they are giving love in return for giving me life.

I am very grateful.

I see art as movement toward discovery. It’s the process that interests me the most, nothing else is as important. Some will see beautiful pictures. Some will find inspiration. Please take what you can as my gift.

Many things lost and forgotten. Some things found and remembered.

Lynn Pedigo