I was inspired by the work of Zhang Hongtu, where he incorporated parts of his culture into his artwork, such as Kimchi Chanel (1997) and Quaker Oats Mao (1989) art. To make this painting, I used gouache and watercolor paper. As for painting techniques, I used a lot of layering and lines to achieve the mark making look. I originally had the fish sauce bottle and the fish alone, as if it was a still life painting. I ended up adding the crab, background, and additional details later once I figured out how I wanted to expand the painting and make it more dynamic. Being inspired by Hongtu, I wanted to experiment with culture shock and appreciation. I want to convey that some things in someone else’s culture might not be appealing/appetizing to you, but it is to them.

       Fish sauce on its own is very pungent. Paired with specific meals, it can elevate the flavors because of its umami properties. In the artwork, I included eaten seashells and bamboo picks strung about because fish sauce is commonly paired with grilled seafood in Vietnamese cuisine. It is laid out on the ground because the locals usually throw out the shells on the streets. (Not that there aren’t proper trash cans or this is an inherent part of the culture, I am just pulling this reference based on my past memory of traveling to Vietnam)