The Story Behind the Art: The Journey to Ke Ga Lighthouse
The true value of a limited edition print lies not just in the ink on the paper, but in the story and the journey that brought the image to life. My linocut Ke Ga lighthouse, Binh Thuan province, is a direct memory, a snapshot of adventure, and a celebration of a stunning, remote corner of Vietnam. It captures the rugged majesty of a historic tower set against a restless sea, a testament to timeless power and the spirit of exploration.
The Road Less Travelled: Dragon Fruit and Distant Peaks
The inspiration for this print began far from my home studio, on the sun-baked roads of Binh Thuan province, Vietnam. My wife, Kolpona, and I had hired a scooter in the small, charming coastal town of LaGi. With the distinctive form of the Ke Ga Lighthouse as our destination, we set off, the warm air rushing past us.
The drive itself was a visual feast, a journey through the heartland of provincial Vietnam. We zipped past vast, seemingly endless fields of dragon fruit—their spiky, neon-green arms climbing tall wooden posts, a startling and beautiful sight against the dry, red earth. It was during this drive that another, more monumental piece of scenery caught my eye: a big mountain dominating the northern horizon. Its vast, imposing profile was immediately inspiring, and it later became the focus of another celebrated piece: my Mountain Pagoda linocut, documenting the powerful, enduring landscape of this region.
Navigating the final leg to the coast, we were assisted by a local man on a motorbike who helped escort us down a side street toward the shores where small fishing boats waited to ferry visitors to the island. This moment—the shift from open road to open water—was the final step into the adventure.
My wife and I on the boat ride to the lighthouse
Ke Ga lighthouse in Binh Thuan Province, Vietnam as seen from the boat
Crossing the Choppy Seas: A Close Encounter with History
Stepping aboard a small fishing vessel, we met our captain, a young man with a remarkably boyish look, who was ready to tackle the waves. The sea was restless that afternoon, the waters dark and commanding, making the short crossing an exhilarating experience. The waves, with their frothy white caps, were already demanding attention, promising a strong visual element for the eventual artwork.
As we approached the islet, the full grandeur of Ke Ga Lighthouse was revealed. Built between 1897 and 1899 by the French, this colossal, sandstone-coloured tower stands as a solitary, magnificent sentinel. Stepping off the boat, we were immediately up close to the tower's base, craning our necks to take in its height and feel the weight of its history. It seemed weathered by over a century of tropical storms and constant sun, a solid landmark against the transient nature of the ocean.
We climbed a series of stone steps, navigating the impressive formations of massive, rounded boulders and rock formations that surrounded the lighthouse. These natural sculptures, pitted and smoothed by the elements, offered a stunning vantage point of the scenery around us. From here, the deep blue of the South China Sea stretched limitlessly to the horizon, reinforcing the sense of isolation and purpose that defines this location. The sight—the contrast of the ancient stone tower, the rugged rocks, and the restless sea—was overwhelming in its graphic clarity.
Perhaps you’re interested in visiting this impressive location yourself! Indeed, if you would like to get more facts and info on Ke Ga Lighthouse click here.
Lost in the Afternoon: A Timeless Perspective
After exploring the island, we returned to the mainland beach nearby. We spent a quiet period simply gazing back at the lighthouse, now seen in the distance, perched on its rocky outcrop. The afternoon sun cast a warm glow, and the whole scene seemed lost in the afternoon, with time standing still. The structure appeared to be an inseparable, permanent part of the landscape, as if it had been there for all eternity. This sense of enduring peace, framed by the wildness of the sea, provided the final, necessary emotional layer for the print.
Back on the beach enjoying the moment
Finding inspiration for my coastal art print on the shoreline
The Art of Persistence: Refining the Carving
Back in the quiet focus of my home studio, the adventure was translated into art using the demanding medium of the linocut. The block print is perfectly suited to capture the dramatic contrasts of the Ke Ga scene—the stark light, the deep shadow, and the dynamic texture of the water.
The images you see of the process reveal the intensive, painstaking work. Initially, after the first session of carving the lino block, I took some proof prints. These initial results, while promising, showed that my rendering of the choppy waters was insufficient. The strokes were too uniform, lacking the true kinetic energy and turbulence we had experienced on the boat.
Driven by the vivid memory of the sea, I returned to the block and carved more. I dedicated hours to incising a dense, intricate network of cuts, creating a much more detailed texture to represent the swirling, white-capped waves. This process of refinement—carving more and more of the negative space to allow the final image's light to shine through—is what elevates a good print to a great one. The final print achieves an immediate, graphic power that captures the essential drama of the lighthouse and the fierce vitality of the sea.
To learn in more detail how I make my unique linocuts you can visit: ‘Behind the Print: An In-Depth Guide to the Linocut Process’.
The linocut process, from carving, to inking and then the final print
A Timeless Keepsake: Owning the Ke Ga Legacy
The Ke Ga Lighthouse linocut is a piece of art forged from a truly memorable journey—a reminder of exhilarating travel, the beautiful vastness of the Vietnamese coast, and the satisfaction of artistic persistence.
This artwork is a special limited edition print, hand-pulled and signed. Once this small run is sold out, the image will never be printed again. It is a powerful, graphic statement piece, perfect for any collector of travel-inspired or original fine art who appreciates the rich backstory behind the creation. By acquiring this print, you are bringing the enduring spirit and graphic beauty of this magnificent Vietnamese landmark into your home.
Don't miss the opportunity to own this truly special piece of my journey and artistry.
I hope you found this blog post interesting and to see more of my limited edition prints check out my portfolio!
