VietNamNet Bridge – An exhibition in the capital city called As Years Go By, featuring the works of four art teachers, has attracted many people keen on seeing the senior artists’ latest works.

Angel 1: A lacquer painting by Trinh Tuan.

The established artists, Trinh Tuan, Vu Huu Nhung, Nguyen Ngoc Quan and Le Anh Vu, are teachers at the Ha Noi University of Industrial Fine Arts.

About 30 paintings, sculptures and other items, including oil on canvas, acrylic paintings, ceramic and lacquer works, have been called “multidimensional, vivid portrayals of personal experiences”.

Painter Vi Kien Thanh, head of the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition, said at the opening ceremony that it showcased outstanding works by the artists.

"Tuan’s works are always new because he is very creative. The colours in his lacquer paintings are not the traditional yellows and reds, but very new and fresh tones. Artist Nhung already has a popular brand, Gom Nhung (Nhung Ceramics). Nhung has succeeded in making ceramic art a daily utility," said Thanh.

On display for the first time in the capital city are ten lacquer paintings by Tuan themed on sen (lotus) and Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Two paintings, Angel 1 and Angel 2, were completed in the last days of 2017.

"Many countries in the world have lotuses but there are different ways to feel and think about this flower. I have researched and followed this theme about 20 years. For me, the lotus connotes sexual desires," Tuan said.

Commenting on Angel 1 and Angel 2, artist Dao Hai Phong said: "It is Tuan’s style. His paintings are sentimental and do not keep viewers guessing. I appreciate his artistic truthfulness."

Tuan, who teaches in the Industrial Design Department, has a master’s degree from the Viet Nam Fine Arts University. He has become famous as an artist working to preserve Vietnamese lacquer painting techniques. Tuan and Malaysian artist Ng Bee founded Asia Art Link in 2005 to gather artists from Asian nations, including ASEAN members.

Asia Art Link organised international art exhibitions and workshops in 2016 and 2017.

Nhung has revived the Phu Lang traditional ceramic village in the northern province of Bac Ninh, and made pottery an art on the way. He also has a master’s from the Viet Nam Fine Arts University and teaches at the Ha Noi University of Industrial Fine Arts’ Interior Design Department.

Friendly: Ceramic work titled Ban Be 11 by Vu Huu Nhung.

At the ongoing exhibition, Nhung is presenting six ceramic works, include new ones from a series titled Ban Be (Friendship).

Titled Ban Be 11 (Friendship 11), the work was completed over three weeks last year.

"It breaks the usual structure of ceramic. In most cases, structure contrast is made with metal material only," said artist Le Anh Van, director of the Viet Nam University of Fine Arts.

Nhung has won several awards at national fine arts exhibitions as well as competitions launched by the British Council and the Sweden-Viet Nam Culture Fund. 

Vu and Quan are teachers at Sculpture Department and Industrial Design Department. Six sculptures by Vu were made between May and December, 2017, themed Mam - Qua (Seed - Fruit). Quan shows his versatility is with watercolours, acrylic and oil paintings.

South Korean ambassador Lee Hyuk said at the exhibition’s opening ceremony that “like the exhibition title, the artworks have unique beauty and great value that will be forever".

The exhibition will run at the Korean Cultural Centre, 49 Nguyen Du, till January 6. 

Source: VNS