Galerie Quynh presents its third solo exhibition with leading abstract painter Tran Van Thao. Titled ‘Immersion’, the exhibition features new work by Tran inspired by his fascination with water, light, shadows and space. Referring to the astronomical phenomenon of the disappearance of a celestial body prior to an eclipse, ‘Immersion’ reflects on wider themes of mindfulness and subjectivity.
Tran states, “When we close our eyes, we see shadows of the infinite, disorientation, profound depth... not just the literal meaning of shadows. And when we open our eyes, we see many things: sun and wind, air, objects, people. An epiphany can occur at any time, in any mood, can 'catch' any subject and can recall any atmosphere.”
Tran revels in the images, impressions and sensations of our daily life. There is a strong sense of place in Tran’s work – not in geographical terms but rather an experience that fluctuates between the familiar and foreign. Tran’s scribbles and marks are dynamic, ebullient forms yet his compositions also communicate calm, sensual spaces. That Tran is able to create this tension speaks to his creative talent and accomplished technical skill. At times the artist’s forms appear suspended in space, floating in the picture plane. In other instances, most notably in the later works, the airy forms are deliberately anchored by more controlled lines.
About the artist:
Born in 1961 in Saigon, Tran Van Thao graduated from the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts University. Regarded as one of Vietnam's most accomplished artists, Tran belongs to an influential group of painters who rose to prominence in the 90s following the introduction of Doi Moi (Vietnam's Open Door economic policy) in 1986. He has participated in numerous exhibitions around the world. Tran has received a number of awards and prizes including the Starr Foundation Fellowship from Asian Cultural Council where he spent four months as an artist-in-residence in New York. Tran Van Thao lives and works in Ho Chi Minh City
-Galerie Quynh
Image: © Tran Van Thao
