It is hard to not spend some quiet moments being enthralled by the exceptional allure of the female protagonists in the works of Pham Cung and Hua Thanh Binh. In this exhibition titled Her Story, the two highly distinguished masters in modern and contemporary Vietnamese arts will showcase a unique collection of works on their endearing subject – Women, in brilliantly distinctive styles.
While there is a growing number of collectors for Binh's works since his participation in a group exhibition held in Singapore last year, this collaboration will mark debut exhibition of the 75 years old artist Pham Cung in the lion city.
One of the best known artists in Vietnam for half a century, Pham Cung is not only a talented painter but also a gifted sculptor. His works reflects his humanity and keen insight on the plight of his fellow countrymen. A revolutionary at heart and one who has undergone several social upheavals in the modern history of Vietnam, the artist liken art to the bright light that he discovered from the darkness and finds happiness in expressing the beauty of life in his works.
To the veteran artist, women is synonymous to the most sophisticated form of beauty and has been the main inspiration for his works. When faced with the question as to why he always paint women, the artist invariably replies “I like painting women because I am...a man. Without women in this world, it is like a plant without beautiful flowers. Flowers are very important in the art. To me, flowers are women. They are like lightings in a happy home. I paint human flowers in my paintings.” A closer look at the women in many of his canvases however, reveals that his artistic expression of the subject is beyond mere admiration. They reflects his disposition and passion for life. Their story is his.
In contrast to the delicate features, masculine frame and soft strokes in Pham Cung's works, the subject in Binh's collection exude a different kind of strength and elegance. Through his latest series of works, the artist attempts to portray the changing images of women and their role in the contemporary Vietnamese society. The artist comments, “In the war time, Vietnamese women must carry many tasks to support their family while the men went to the frontline. Now the country is in peace, women deserve a better life, also in the way they dress up.”
Binh's stint as a judge in fashion shows has undoubtedly inspired the slender physique of the women in his creation. The experience in the fashion world has, to a great extent, shaped his artistic style. This can be seen in his unrestrained and vibrant brushstrokes on their modern dresses, and the angle of the shadow that has been carefully painted as if a stage light is casted on the beautiful faces of his subject. Images of dragon and some traditional decorative patterns unique to the Vietnamese culture are often incorporated in his works with a contemporary touch. The recurring themes of “past and present”, “traditional and modernity” which are evident in his works, echoed the artist's own challenge to create artworks that has enduring charm in the rapidly changing international art market. Binh is currently serving as the Deputy Director of National Museum of Fine Arts in Ho Chi Minh City. The artist has won numerous awards for his works and has participated in international exhibitions.
The works by both artists are widely collected and exhibited in the Ho Chi Minh City National Museum of Fine Arts. GJ Asian Art is honoured to represent the masterpieces of the 2 esteemed artists from Vietnam. Many of these exhibiting works will be showcased for the first time to the public.
