HÀ NỘI — An exhibition in the capital city called As Years Go By, featuring the works of four art teachers, has attracted many people keen on seeing the senior artists’ latest works.

The established artists, Trịnh Tuân, Vũ Hữu Nhung, Nguyễn Ngọc Quân and Lê Anh Vũ, are teachers at the Hà Nội University of Industrial Fine Arts.

About 30 paintings, sculptures and other items, including oil on canvas, acrylic paintings, ceramic and lacquer works, have been called  “multidimensional, vivid portrayals of personal experiences”.

Painter Vi Kiến Thành, head of the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition, said at the opening ceremony that it showcased outstanding works by the artists.

"Tuân’s works are always new because he is very creative. The colours in his lacquer paintings are not the traditional yellows and reds, but very new and fresh tones. Artist Nhung already has a popular brand, Gốm Nhung (Nhung Ceramics). Nhung has succeeded in making ceramic art a daily utility," said Thành.

On display for the first time in the capital city are ten lacquer paintings by Tuân themed on sen (lotus) and Hà Nội’s Old Quarter. Two paintings, Angel 1 and Angel 2, were completed in the last days of 2017.

"Many countries in the world have lotuses but there are different ways to feel and think about this flower. I have researched and followed this theme about 20 years. For me, the lotus connotes sexual desires," Tuân said.

Commenting on Angel 1 and Angel 2, artist Đào Hải Phong said: "It is Tuân’s style. His paintings are sentimental and do not keep viewers guessing. I appreciate his artistic truthfulness."

Friendly: Ceramic work titled Bạn Bè 11 by Vũ Hữu Nhung.

Tuân, who teaches in the Industrial Design Department, has a master’s degree from the Việt Nam Fine Arts University. He has become famous as an artist working to preserve Vietnamese lacquer painting techniques. Tuân and Malaysian artist Ng Bee founded Asia Art Link in 2005 to gather artists from Asian nations, including ASEAN members.

Asia Art Link organised international art exhibitions and workshops in 2016 and 2017.

Nhung has revived the Phù Lãng traditional ceramic village in the northern province of Bắc Ninh, and made pottery an art on the way. He also has a master’s from the Việt Nam Fine Arts University and teaches at the Hà Nội University of Industrial Fine Arts’ Interior Design Department.

At the ongoing exhibition, Nhung is presenting six ceramic works, include new ones from a series titled Bạn Bè (Friendship).

Titled Bạn Bè 11 (Friendship 11), the work was completed over three weeks last year.

"It breaks the usual structure of ceramic. In most cases, structure contrast is made with metal material only," said artist Lê Anh Vân, director of the Việt Nam University of Fine Arts.

Nhung has won several awards at national fine arts exhibitions as well as competitions launched by the British Council and the Sweden-Việt Nam Culture Fund. 

Vũ and Quân are teachers at Sculpture Department and Industrial Design Department. Six sculptures by Vũ were made between May and December, 2017, themed Mầm - Quả (Seed - Fruit). Quân shows his versatility is with watercolours, acrylic and oil paintings.

South Korean ambassador Lee Hyuk said at the exhibition’s opening ceremony that “like the exhibition title, the artworks have unique beauty and great value that will be forever".

The exhibition will run at the Korean Cultural Centre, 49 Nguyễn Du, till January 6. — VNS