Classic, contemporary beauty of Vietnamese women reflected

August 20, 2018 - 10:04

The beauty of Vietnamese women in the silk paintings by the late artist Mai Trung Thứ inspired young artist Nguyễn Ngọc Vũ (Rabbit Boy) to create a series of paintings with the theme of “Đẹp Contemporary”.

Contemporary: A painting by Nguyễn Ngọc Vũ (Rabbit Boy) inspired by Five Young Women by Mai Trung Thứ.
Viet Nam News

HÀ NỘI — The beauty of Vietnamese women in the silk paintings by the late artist Mai Trung Thứ inspired young artist Nguyễn Ngọc Vũ (Rabbit Boy) to create a series of paintings with the theme of “Đẹp Contemporary”.

Drawing on the neo-classic beauty in Thứ’s paintings, Vũ hopes to introduce a new perspective on the timeless beauty of Vietnamese women.

The project includes five artworks recreating the image of elegant, graceful Vietnamese young women in a contemporary context. Pop-art, modern images displayed at the Lotte Department Store and on print goodies are the bridge between the quintessence of Vietnamese culture and the souls of art enthusiasts.

Thứ (1906-80) was the master of Vietnamese silk paintings. After graduating from Class I of Indochina College of Fine Arts, he specialised in oil-on-canvas paintings at first, then switched to silk paintings and made a name for himself with this art.

From 1936, he decided to reside in France, but always bore a part of the homeland in his soul. His artworks have a strong sense of tradition, with images of Vietnamese women in daily life: combing their hair, chatting, having tea and praying; and of kids playing by the river, wrestling and learning embroidery.

Through the generations: The painting of Nguyễn Ngọc Vũ inspired by Mẹ Dạy Thêu Thùa (Mother teaches embroidering) by Mai Trung Thứ.

With bright, lucid colours and sophisticated lines, his silk paintings express a distinct style of art. With a touch of elegance and romanticism, they bring exceptional emotions to the viewers.

Vũ graduated with a Graphic Design degree in Malaysia. He is one of a few young artists passionate about Vietnamese traditions who has found himself a place in the art scene with artworks inspired by Vietnamese culture.

The exhibition will run until September 2 at the 5th floor of Lotte Department Store, 54 Liễu Giai Street, Hà Nội. — VNS

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