Visitors admire works at the exhibition in Hà Nội. — VNS Photo Minh Thu

HÀ NỘI — From the perspective of young artist Nguyễn Xuân Lam, folk paintings proved their vitality in modern times at an exhibition of his works that is opening in downtown Hà Nội

Following the success of his debut exhibition named Folk Painting – the Remake, Lam is back with Rendezvous between the Old and the New at the Vietnamese Women’s Museum.

The exhibition featuring modern forms of folk painting and products has attracted people of different ages. — VNS Photo Minh Thu

“The folk paintings on display sit well behind glass frames, confirming their vitality among other trends of contemporary culture,” said museum director Nguyễn Hải Vân.

“Lam shows us the combination of old and new, between tradition and modernity,” she said.

“The exhibition once again shows Lam’s talent for redesigning old art and giving traditional folk paintings new life with his own style.”

Drawing inspiration from Đông Hồ and Hàng Trống folk paintings, Lam repainted the works with his own strokes and colours then finished them using graphics software.

Lam preserves the main spirit and content of the paintings, but has given them a new coat.

He exhibition features paintings, t-shirts, bookmarks, notebooks and tote bags.

Since 2017, Lam has been grabbing public attention with his modern techniques to reshape folk art. The hoodie collection with imprints of Five Tigers, Cranes and Saint Gióng has been welcomed by the public, especially youngsters.

Nguyễn Xuân Lam is displaying various paintings at the exhibition. — VNS Photo Minh Thu

Lam was born in 1993 in Hà Nội. He graduated from the Việt Nam Fine Arts University in 2016. He has participated in joint exhibitions since 2014 and hosted two solo exhibitions in 2017 and 2019.

“This time, I want to focus on images of women in folk paintings, so I present Tố Nữ (Beautiful Women), Bà Chúa Thượng Ngàn (Mother Goddess of the Forest), Hai Bà Trưng (Trưng Sisters) and Bà Triệu (Lady Triệu),” said Lam.

“It’s my experiment to bring vitality to the old paintings. Since the old days, people have been in the habit of buying paintings on the occasion of Tết (Lunar New Year).”

“Holding the exhibition ahead of the New Year, I want to revive that tradition. People can buy paintings and products inspired by folk art to decorate their homes.”

The exhibition will run until May 20 at the Vietnamese Women’s Museum, 36 Lý Thường Kiệt Street, Hà Nội. — VNS