Artist Nguyen Xuan Viet next to the Portrait of a Human Face - Photo: Mai Thuy
Artist Nguyen Xuan Viet was born in Thailand. His parents were Vietnamese but immigrated to Thailand in 1945 to start a business after their home was destroyed by the French. The name Nguyen Xuan Viet was given in a longing for the homeland mixed with a family's secret dream.
Returning to Vietnam alone at the age of 13, Nguyen Xuan Viet joined the army, studied painting and then became a true student of famous artist Nguyen Gia Tri for 17 years.
As the eldest son of a family of eight poor young brothers, Nguyen Xuan Viet had to be very brave to pursue a career in drawing. "The first day I came to artist Nguyen Gia Tri's house to study, his wife, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Kim, told me 'What's the point of learning this starving profession!'. I know that statement is very painful. “It hurts for her husband was also for me, a young man in my early twenties" – Artist Nguyen Xuan Viet recalled.
Yet he still follows the profession, sticking to traditional lacquer until today. Studying with artist Nguyen Gia Tri, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Viet acquired both painting techniques and perspectives on painting and creativity. The national spirit imbued with artist Nguyen Gia Tri's love for his race can still be seen in Nguyen Xuan Viet's lyrical colors and in simple homeland themes.
The work Lotus on a Moonlit Night by artist Nguyen Xuan Viet
Born in Thailand and traveling back and forth between the two countries, artist Nguyen Xuan Viet has crystallized the culture and natural beauty of both lands into his paintings.
He likes to paint white lotuses, houses imbued with the soul of Hanoi's streets, portraits of Khmer people, and he also finds peace in ancient temples.
The work Khmer people go to market by artist Nguyen Xuan Viet
His wife, artist Nguyen Thi Bich Nga, is a silk artist. She studied on her own and was guided by her husband, not through school.
Artist Bich Nga's paintings bear the influence of famous artist Nguyen Phan Chanh, evoking images of peaceful Vietnamese countryside or elegant still lives of flowers and leaves.
The work Children of the Market by artist Nguyen Thi Bich Nga
From January 8 to 22, artist Nguyen Xuan Viet and his wife opened a double exhibition titled Poetic Soul, Silk - Lacquer at Binh Minh Gallery (29A Ngo Thoi Nhiem, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City) with 40 paintings.
Attending the exhibition, audiences will also enjoy rare works by artist Nguyen Xuan Viet owned by collector Truong Van Thuan.
Transmitting lacquer craft to other countries
Not only stopping at painting, Nguyen Xuan Viet also spread the lacquer craft to other countries. The more proud he is of traditional lacquer, the more he wants foreigners to know about the unique art material of his homeland. Not long ago, the artist had a visiting lecture tour at Silpakorn University in Bangkok, Thailand.
"Foreigners really want to learn Vietnamese lacquer because they see its beauty in the works. I have taught many Thai and Chinese people... but unfortunately no one can follow the profession because of the lacquer technique requires a lot of patience, studying for ten years is not necessarily perfect" - he shared.
The good news is that countries in the region still pay attention and admiration for our country's lacquer art.
Abstract work by artist Nguyen Xuan Viet
Abstract work by artist Nguyen Xuan Viet
Still life work by artist Nguyen Xuan Viet
The work To Lich Street by artist Nguyen Xuan Viet
Abstract work by artist Nguyen Xuan Viet
The work Hang Manh Street by artist Nguyen Xuan Viet
The work Phat Loc Alley by artist Nguyen Xuan Viet
The work Bodhi Tree by artist Nguyen Thi Bich Nga
The work Flowers by artist Nguyen Thi Bich Nga
The work Flowers by artist Nguyen Thi Bich Nga
MAI THUY
Tuoi Tre Newspaper
ĐÁNH GIÁ SẢN PHẨM