HCM CITY— The first exhibition in HCM City to feature photographs of female nudes opened yesterday at the HCM City Fine Arts Association.

Photographer Hạo Nhiên’s 50 black-and-white works for the Tạo Tác (Beauty) exhibition were selected from his collection of more than 500 photos.

“In Việt Nam, nude photography evokes conflicting opinions from the public,” said Nhiên, a dancer who has more than 20 years of experience in photography.

“I began to challenge myself in the art form five years ago. I’ve worked very hard to highlight the beauty of the female body,” he said. “You can see meaningful images of hands and legs that reveal how dancers create their art.”

Veteran painter Uyên Huy, chairman of the Fine Arts Association, said at the exhibition’s opening ceremony that the works showed Nhien’s love and respect for women.

“His pictures have captured the hearts of viewers,” he said.

Photographer Nguyễn Á, who is also involved in shooting nudes, said the Tạo Tác exhibition would help Nhiên and his colleagues promote the art to the public. 

Nhiên and Á are just two of many photographers who have faced preconceived ideas from society about their nude photos.

In 2007, works from Springtime by Thái Phiên, a photobook of nudes shot by photographer Thái Phiên of HCM City, were shown at an exhibition in the city.

The Việt Nam Association of Photographic Artists gave the book an award, while the Voice of Hồ Chí Minh City recognised the book as one of the city’s top 10 cultural events of 2008.

Later, Phiên was unable to hold a similar exhibition of his nude photos in Hà Nội and Huế.

Nhien’s exhibition at the Fine Arts Association, located at 218 Pasteur Street in District 3, will close on September 18. – VNS