Exhibition Seas of Silk – Oc Eo Statues at Lotus Gallery

The exhibition “Seas of Silk” by research-based artist Quang deLam at Lotus Gallery features a rich and multi-layered scenography. Complementing deLam’s paintings is a curated series of statues from the Óc Eo civilization.

These statues are drawn from photographs taken during a special August 2025 exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City dedicated to Vietnamese National Treasures.

This unique combination of contemporary paintings and and black and white photography provides essential contextual perspective, cultivating a serene, mysterious atmosphere that encourages deep contemplation of both artistic forms.

Eoc Eo Harbor and Civilisation

Óc Eo is considered to have been a major port city and the economic heart of the Funan kingdom (1st to the 7th century CE) . The site was first identified in the 1930s through aerial photography and was subsequently excavated by French archaeologist Louis Malleret in 1944.

It was a main  stop on the maritime trade route between India and China. Archaeological discoveries have unearthed a remarkable array of artifacts , Roman gold medallions, statues of Hindu gods like Vishnu and Shiva, Chinese Buddhist statues. Due to its historical importance, the Óc Eo – Ba Thê archaeological site has been designated a special national relic of Vietnam.