Truong Tan - We Will Never Die 2016 Lacquer 120 cm x 90 cm |
Art Vietnam Gallery has selected a work of art from each of the artists we have worked with over the past two decades that expresses the extreme and multilayered impact of the current Covid 19 pandemic on our world. The health and economic effects of the virus are dominant but the resonance of the ripple effect is felt in every fiber of our consciousness. We are forced to confront our personal environment in an intensely intimate manner that invokes periods of silence, retrospection and contemplation of this concept of time we call the future... As the wise sages say, there is no future, there is only the now. We invite all of you to look deeply inside yourself, go quiet to the deep within to find the beauty and blessings that come with this disaster. There is always the yin and yang of life, the balance of joy and sadness. Without darkness there would be no light. (Please click on the titles of paintings in blue to view images of the artworks) To honor Vietnam for its excellent performance in managing this global pandemic we selected this powerful lacquer work by artist Truong Tan, We Will Never Die, 2016. Tan is one of Vietnam's most well-known artists recognized internationally for his painting, drawing, performance, installation, sculpture, and ceramics that challenges social convention and investigates themes of identity and freedom of expression. This particular work was profiled in the Fuzhou International Lacquer Art Biennial, Fuzhou, China 2018.
Nguyen Cam, our most senior artist, now residing in France, recently exhibited at the Rosenberg & Co. Gallery NYC, expresses in his large free canvas, Eternity 2013, the resilience and the strength of the Asian spirit. Nguyen Nghia Cuong, our playful, humorous artist, in Mr. Turtle 2005, places an artist protected by the shell of the turtle with two cranes atop, sacred animals of Vietnam that represent longevity. Dinh Cong Dat and his colorful newsprint paper mache Rooster, 2011 that heralds the beginning of a new day with his morning song. Nguyen Duc Dung, one of the 5 Nom scholars of the Zenei calligraphy group, in his work of Chinese Ink on paper, Boat of Leaves 2008, honors nature. Tran Trong Duong, also a Zenei member Untitled 2, 2008 uses the Nom characters in the abstract form so they can be appreciated visually. Dutch artist Rienke Enghardt in her Portrait of Tin II 1998, pays homage to Tran Trung Tin, a revered master of Vietnamese painting and their deep friendship, connecting cultures. Nguyen Thi Chau Giang in her double sided silk painting, Inside of Us, 2013, depicts the yin and yang of life, male and female, that is inside of all of us. Vu Thu Hien, a beautiful work of natural color on Do paper that expresses our interconnectedness with all, At One with Nature 2015.
Ha Tri Hieu, member of Gang of Five, Thinking 2005, honors all our time of reflection. Nguyen Manh Hung, Moving Apartment Block 2007, depicts our human dilemma of being sequestered in small spaces. Nguyen Lan Huong in her lacquer Sound of a Bird, 2009, reminds us of the simple joys of nature.
Catherine Karnow, photograph, Chula Pho noodle dress, yet another imaginative creation by Diego of Chula Fashion company who has honored the artists with a unique creation for each opening that reflects the artworks on exhibition for which I am so grateful. Sebastien Laval, in his black and white photo of Huy and Son, Two Ta Oi children, playing in the shell of an old bomb casing, shows us the best possible use for a weapon of destruction. Nguyen Thi Chinh Le, in her work on silk with its accompanying bronze sculpture, The Blind Man does not turn off his light at night...words for the wise. Mai Dac Linh, in his lacquer work The Quiet Time, portrays the cyclical nature of life.
Dinh Y Nhi, My Little Happiness #45 2016, the artist's reflections of all she encountered each morning at her street side coffee shop, each emotion a little drop of awareness.
Dinh Thi Tham Poong in her highly patterned Conversation about Eternity 2014 invites us to go beyond what we expect or have been conditioned to see. Simon Redington's Riot in the Big House, 2008 makes us aware of how some things never change! Jorge Rivera's 3 Piled chairs, 2015, beer/cafe seats, sculpted of white marble instead of the ubiquitous plastic, an endearing symbol of Vietnam. Tran Hoang Son, The Steps IV, 2005, a beautiful lacquer work depicting the many steps one must take to realize enlightenment. Nguyen The Son has had widespread international acclaim for his 3 dimensional photo relief series for which he won the talent prize at the Chinese Academy of Fine Art in Beijing in 2012. This work An Binh (Peacefulness), a former French villa in the old quarter, re-appropriated for modern life. Nguyen Quang Thang, Zenei member, in his work of Chinese ink, Mist Curtain, 2012, reminds us to be aware of the mystery and magic of nature.
Vu Kim Thu reminds us of the intricacies of life and the beauty of small spaces in her Miniature of Space 01 2013 light box. Phan Cam Thuong, Buddhist scholar and researcher, But Thap Pagoda Aspirants 2019, touches our desire to strive for equanimity. Le Thua Tien in his subtle and intriguing lacquer Bamboo Curtain invites us to look deeply into what we see to discover the depths hidden beyond. Le Quy Tong in his Saigon Student Movement 2016, uses actual current events from the internet to extrapolate a contemporary version of street protest against war. Pham Van Tuan, Zenei member's Sea Inside Me, 2009, uses Chinese Ink to evoke a sense of the mystery that is swirling inside each of us. Dang Anh Viet also uses Chinese ink on paper to express contemplation in his Exploration 2003. Le Quoc Viet, Nom scholar and founder of the contemporary calligraphy group Zenei, in his monumental Wordless ceramic installation, 2008, writes poetry and Zen maxims in Nom characters on ceramic plates, aware that the public cannot read but will experience the words by sound instead, thereby wordless but not soundless. Pham Quang Vinh, the Gang of Five artist who graciously helped me build my life in Vietnam with his whimsical gouache work, Tiger 1998, an expression and reminder of the fierce tenacity we all need in life to survive and thrive.
And lastly, our charmingly playful Lolo Zazar's metal sculpture, The Three Graces 02, 2020, reminding us of all the grace and beauty of the feminine in life, as our Mother Nature. We hope you have enjoyed this offering of our selections for these unusual and challenging times. Please contact the gallery for high res images or further information. Also the gallery would like to announce that the publication of the exhibition catalog for the Gang of Five is now available in print hardcopy for $50USD and also in PDF form for $20USD. Please contact the gallery at info@artvietnamgallery.com to place your order. Wishing you health, happiness and a wonderful he acceptance of this mysterious thing we call life. We thank each and everyone one of you for all your support and attention. Suzanne Lecht Art Director Art Vietnam Salon No. 2, Alley 66 Yen Lac Str. Hanoi Vietnam +84 24 3862 3184
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