Merfolk

I grew up on the west coast of South Africa, in a cluster of villages primarily supported by the fishing industry. My childhood revolved around nature. I would often scour the beaches for shells and sun-bleached bones, fascinated by the shapes created by nature. Beach life was not only about walks along the shore and the life found on riverbanks and in the ocean, but also about the people. Nature and cultures shaped by the ocean’s bounty flow through my veins. Stories of the sea, dialects, phrases people use, and the knowledge they have about animals and nature linger in my memory. I still recall lessons from school on what to do when encountering a beached dolphin or whale, and how to help it back into the water—experiences a city child might never have.

In Hoi an where I'm based now, though the people and nature here appear different on the surface, a closer look reveals that the saltwater flows proudly through their veins too, alongside a rich history and Vietnamese culture.

I bring a piece of myself to connect and make a new home here, transitioning from the cold Atlantic Ocean to the East Vietnam Sea.