Acrylic on canvas The Pianist by Trần Anh Quân. Photo courtesy of the artist

HÀ NỘI — Artist Trần Anh Quân is displaying his paintings in downtown Hà Nội to give fine art lovers a chance to explore his work and legacy.

Most of the paintings are 100cm by 100cm and acrylic on canvas, which he drew over two years during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unlike other artists who depict and honour doctors and frontline workers in the coronavirus fight, Quân focuses on small details that are indispensable in life and highlights the positive attitude in the fight against the pandemic.

The paintings have different themes such as love, music and memory. During the past two years, Quân continued painting during the social distancing period at his studio in Eco Park about 20km from Hà Nội. 

"Each artist wants to create his own style but I like freedom in painting," Quân said. "I think art enlarges the field of freedom. Painting by instinct is a great way to achieve freedom of expression. I don't want to limit in expression because whenever I paint it is a new experience."

The painting The Pianist features a young woman in a white áo dài playing the piano next to a large vase of Madonna lilies. The painting with a blue tone reminds viewers of the song Em Ơi Hà Nội Phố (My Dear, Hà Nội Streets),  one of the most popular songs about Hà Nội.  

Cây Cầu Cũ Vào Thành Phố (The Old Bridge in City) shows the artist's memories of Long Biên Bridge. Viewers can recognise the old bridge, which is one of the symbols of Hà Nội through his simple strokes in the painting. 

"Since his debut in Văn Miếu (Temple of Literature) in 1997, he has seemed to lie low," said popular artist Lê Thiết Cương. "But he has not. He still draws a lot. The exhibition has portrait, landscape and abstract paintings showing that he uses multiple styles."

Quân studied at Hà Nội Industrial Fine Arts College. He made his debut with an installation in Văn Miếu, recognised as one of the first installation performances in Việt Nam. 

Trần Anh Quân is one of the pioneers in installation art in Việt Nam. — Photo courtesy of the artist

He has had solo and group exhibitions including Asian Lady; Nice Dream and Wild Lotus. The exhibition opens daily at Purple Blue, 35 Đào Duy Từ Street. — VNS