A sketch by Dương Tuấn

HÀ NỘI  An exhibition of more than 100 sketches opened yesterday in Hà Nội giving a new perspective on sketching.

With the title Sketch+, the exhibition features sketches which meet the standards of a completed artwork though they were created in a short time with several strokes.

Still Life by Nguyễn Minh

Portrait by Doãn Hoàng Lâm

The exhibition gathers nine artists at different ages, namely Chu Thảo, Doãn Hoàng Lâm, Dương Tuấn, Khổng Đỗ Duy, Hải Kiên, Nguyễn Minh Tú, Đoàn Đức Hùng, Trịnh Quế Anh and Nguyễn Minh, and collector Phong Lê who owns many sketches by late artist Lưu Công Nhân.

“Sketches are considered the first version of completed works of art, the material and foundation to build the artworks,” said painter Nguyễn Minh.

“However, sketches also reflect the precious moment and inspiration of the artists. They can be artworks if they meet criteria of fine arts in structure, colours, idea and emotion.”

In various materials such as water colours, Chinese ink, acrylic on canvas, oil on canvas, mixed media on cardboard boxes and old newspaper, the sketches at the exhibition reflect the improvisation and creativity of the artists. They depict various themes such as nude art, still life, portrait, street life and landscape.

Trường Sơn Forest by Chu Thảo

The exhibition also showcases sketches of soldiers on Trường Sơn Mountain Range and southwestern battlefield by painter Chu Thảo, who joined the liberation army in 1968.

“The war didn’t give me any second to hesitate, I quickly sketched the faces and activities of the soldiers and people I met in the Mekong Delta,” said Thảo.

“Once I had some minutes to sketch a soldier, not enough time to ask his name, one day later, when I returned to his tent, his comrades told me that he died in the bombing. Each sketch displayed at the exhibition is very precious to me.”

The exhibition will run through June 19 at Exhibition House, 29 Hàng Bài Street, Hà Nội. VNS