Nguyen Nguyen Ha, Ky Da Hoa Coc (Varan Turned Toad), 35 x 35 x 35 cm, Pottery, 2017
The two artists first met more than 10 years ago. This exhibition is a rendezvous where they both chose pottery to create artworks. It’s a common material, but for the artists, this was the first time they workedclosely together, becoming close to the material.
From this meeting point, the two artists took two different paths, embarking on two different journeys and immersing themselves in their own worlds of creation.
Ha has been around the Vietnamese art scene for more than 20 years. He doesn’t create much, but all of his artworks are carefully selected and are extremely delicate. His works often bring an exquisite and surreal look into life. This was expressed in his solo exhibition “Silence” in 2013.
Ha has worked with various media such as wood, stone, copper, composite, but this exhibition is his first time working with pottery.
The exhibition shows Ha’s 10 works of varied themes, from worms, snails to portraits, which were created over three years. He rarely talks about his works. Even though he works hard, he looks at work and creation as a fun path to search for meaningful things in life.
Minh, after successful solo exhibitions such as “The Birds” (2013), “Breeding Season” (2014), “Soldier – Soldier’s Wife” (2016), has decided to move to a brand new theme, material and new working style. Instead of aluminum, wood, stone, and paper, he had his first experience with pottery, and instead of working independently in the studio, he stayed in a craft village to learn and collaborate with artisans.
In this exhibition, Minh is presenting a series of works titled“Search within Memories” inspired by the ancient products of Huong Canh Pottery Village, a traditional craft village in the northern countryside of Vietnam.
Also in Hanoi, a painting exhibition “Duo Design” by painter Le Thiet Cuong and sculptor Dinh Cong Dat will be held at the 1st floor Hall, Press Club, 59A Ly Thai To Street, Hanoi from May 10 to 13.
Le Thiet Cuong follows minimalist while Dinh Cong Dat goes to the opposite side. Coldness vs familiarity. Black vs white edge. That difference acts as a leverage for the partner that promises an interesting exhibition.
Both exhibitions are free.
In HCM City, the first solo show in Saigon of Hanoi-based artist Nguyen Quoc Trung will open at the Craig Thomas Gallery, 27i Tran Nhat Duat Street, District 1, HCM City until May 22.
Trung was born in 1981, and is a 2006 graduate of the Hanoi Fine Arts University. His solo exhibition “Ethereal” introduces fifteen works of oil on canvas.
Admission is free.
PV