Tropical Zone exhibition will open at Việt Nam National Institute of Arts and Culture Studies (VICAS)’s Art Studio today, displaying artworks by five artists. One of them is Lưu Vũ Long, who is an established artist among the few neo-expressionist painters in Việt Nam. 

Born in the northern province of Thái Nguyên, Long graduated from the Việt Nam University of Fine Arts in 2001. But he held his debut exhibition in 1997. He had lived and worked for two years in Munich, Germany, before returning to Hà Nội.

Long has had over 20 solo and group exhibitions in and outside of Việt Nam. During the last 10 years most popular paintings have focused on the theme of children. However, in the exhibition Tropical Zone his latest paintings reveal his concern for social and humanitarian issues, including the desire for a better life. 

Khánh Vân interviews artist Long about his new works at the exhibition’s press preview.

Could you introduce us to your works?

Paintings by the five artists Nguyễn Thanh Hải, Phạm Sinh, Tào Linh, Nguyễn Mạnh Quỳnh and myself have been selected by VICAS for display. I have 10 paintings which I have made recently. The paintings are the fruit of my work everyday and they are not commissioned works. 

An exhibition usually begins with a conception of the theme. How did the theme of Tropical Zone develop?

To open the exhibition on schedule, the organisers and the artists had many discussions. We talked about the theme many times aiming at meeting the demand of the organisers and the artists as well. 

You just had a group exhibition last May the Việt Nam Museum of Fine Arts. How do you have so much energy to paint?

I spend all my time painting new works. I paint everyday as supply creates my own demand. I don’t have time to think about other things. It can be said that each artist has different targets. Each artist has his own lifestyle and way of working. 

I believe strongly in my art and my work that I’m doing. And I’m joyful about it. When I take a brush to paint, I don’t care about material or style because each material has its typical characteristic. I think an artist can use not only different materials such as oil on canvas; lacquer; water-colour, etc, but he can  also be inspired by many things around him. The most important thing is how the artist uses materials and inspiration to paint. 

At the exhibition last May I used acrylic because this material suits my thoughts and my work. 

I always find huge energy from small things. I’m inspired by children’s play and children’s thoughts to get energy. I don’t paint children but rather paint the world through children’s eyes. Actually, I try to get pure energy and avoid negative things.

What do you expect from the two exhibitions?

I join the group exhibitions in a short period of time because I want people to know more about my artwork and my own way to create art. -- VNS