The established artists,Trinh Tuan, Vu Huu Nhung, Nguyen Ngoc Quan and Le Anh Vu, are teachers at the HanoiUniversity of Industrial Fine Arts.
About 30 paintings,sculptures and other items, including oil on canvas, acrylic paintings, ceramicand lacquer works, have been called “multidimensional, vivid portrayals ofpersonal experiences”.
Painter Vi Kien Thanh,head of the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition, said at theopening ceremony that it showcased outstanding works by the artists.
"Tuan’s works arealways new because he is very creative. The colours in his lacquer paintingsare not the traditional yellows and reds, but very new and fresh tones. ArtistNhung already has a popular brand, Gom Nhung (Nhung Ceramics). Nhung hassucceeded in making ceramic art a daily utility," said Thanh.
On display for the firsttime in the capital city are ten lacquer paintings by Tuan themed on sen (lotus)and Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Two paintings, Angel 1 and Angel2, were completed in the last days of 2017.
"Many countries inthe world have lotuses but there are different ways to feel and think aboutthis flower. I have researched and followed this theme about 20 years. For me,the lotus connotes sexual desires," Tuan said.
Commenting on Angel1 and Angel 2, artist Dao Hai Phong said:"It is Tuan’s style. His paintings are sentimental and do not keep viewersguessing. I appreciate his artistic truthfulness."
Tuan, who teaches in the Industrial Design Department, has a master’s degreefrom the Vietnam Fine Arts University. He has become famous as an artistworking to preserve Vietnamese lacquer painting techniques. Tuan and Malaysianartist Ng Bee founded Asia Art Link in 2005 to gather artists from Asian nations,including ASEAN members.
Asia Art Link organisedinternational art exhibitions and workshops in 2016 and 2017.
Nhung has revived the PhuLang traditional ceramic village in the northern province of Bac Ninh, and madepottery an art on the way. He also has a master’s from the Vietnam Fine Arts Universityand teaches at the Hanoi University of Industrial Fine Arts’ Interior DesignDepartment.
At the ongoingexhibition, Nhung is presenting six ceramic works, include new ones from aseries titled Ban Be (Friendship).
Titled Ban Be 11 (Friendship11), the work was completed over three weeks last year.
"It breaks theusual structure of ceramic. In most cases, structure contrast is made withmetal material only," said artist Le Anh Van, director of the VietnamUniversity of Fine Arts.
Nhung has won severalawards at national fine arts exhibitions as well as competitions launched bythe British Council and the Sweden-Vietnam Culture Fund.
Vu and Quan are teachersat Sculpture Department and Industrial Design Department. Six sculptures by Vuwere made between May and December, 2017, themed Mam - Qua (Seed- Fruit). Quan shows his versatility is with watercolours, acrylic and oilpaintings.
Korean Ambassador toVietnam Lee Hyuk said at the exhibition’s opening ceremony that “like theexhibition title, the artworks have unique beauty and great value that will beforever".
The exhibition will runat the Korean Cultural Centre, 49 Nguyen Du, till January 6.-VNA