Hai Người Thợ Gặt (Two Harvesters) by artist Phùng Phẩm

HÀ NỘI — An exhibition showcasing over 50 lacquer paintings by artist Phùng Phẩm, some never having been introduced to the public, is taking place at Thăng Long Gallery in Hà Nội.

The solo exhibition aims to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Thăng Long Gallery, one of the prominent and long-standing art venues in the city. It also aims to honour the artist who has overcome numerous challenges in life to remain loyal to his own artistic beliefs.

On this occasion, a book about the artist has also been launched. Within its 200 pages, it provides the public with a comprehensive overview of his life as well as artistic journey.

Artist Phùng Phẩm at his solo exhibition held at Thăng Long Gallery. — Photo courtesy of Thăng Long Gallery

Artist Phùng Phẩm was born in the northern province of Vĩnh Phúc in 1932. He participated in revolutionary activities from the age of 13. In 1953, he was sent to China to study and started learning about painting. On returning to Việt Nam, he attended the Vietnam College of Fine Arts, together with many other celebrated artists like Hoàng Trầm, Mộng Bích and Đường Ngọc Cảnh. After graduation, he worked at the Vietnam Animation Studio.

Throughout his life, Phẩm has always been quietly dedicated and devoted to arts, which he considers as breath, life, and miraculous happiness. The 91-year-old artist is renowned for his diverse range of artworks, including lacquer paintings and wood carvings that address a variety of topics. He has received numerous awards throughout his career, such as the A Prize for Graphic Art Exhibition from 1975-1985 in Hà Nội, the Gold Medal for National Fine Arts Exhibition in 1990 in Hà Nội, along with a number of other artistic awards in Germany and South Korea. Several of his solo exhibitions were held in 2003, 2006 and 2008.

"An artist is like a poor man in search of gold. He won’t find it today. He won’t find it tomorrow. Sometimes even for the rest of his life, he might still be searching. Only with determination, desire, passion, one can have a glimpse of hope to find art. And those who found it, found true arts,” he said.

Kiêu Hãnh (Pride) by Phùng Phẩm. The artwork was returned to Việt Nam in January.

In January, the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum received two artworks by Phẩm which were brought back from Europe. The artworks, titled Kiêu Hãnh (Pride) and Những Nụ Hôn Tình Yêu (Kisses of Love), were donated by Ellen Berends, the former Deputy Ambassador of the Netherlands to Việt Nam. These two paintings had traveled to various places around the world with Ellen Berends before returning to their homeland.

“Phẩm’s art, from woodblock graphics to lacquer paintings, is distinctive with its own vitality. It bears influences from both Eastern and Western traditions, from the rich heritage of Việt Nam to the language of the modern global art scene,” said art researcher and critic Bùi Như Hương.

“The stories, themes, and people depicted in his artworks emerge from the cultural history of Việt Nam or timeless human tales. The artist imbues these paintings with the intention to honour and celebrate their enduring and timeless beauty. Perhaps, this is the noble and profound meaning of an artist's life,” she added.

The exhibition will run until October 28 at Thăng Long Gallery, located on 41 Hàng Gai Street. —VNS