Raw vulnerability meets calculated symbolism in this introspective diptych where the artist turns the lens inward to expose his creative dichotomy. When does the pursuit of artistic purity become a luxury that youth cannot afford?

Employing the stark contrasts and unconventional compositions reminiscent of Man Ray's Dadaist explorations, these images strip away pretense through deliberate understatement and symbolic juxtaposition of flesh against currency. Created during a pivotal moment of professional uncertainty at age 19, this deeply personal series has become a visual manifesto for an entire generation of Vietnamese photographers struggling to reconcile commercial demands with artistic integrity.