Veteran Vietnamese Painters Showcase Half-Century Artistic Journey in Exhibition

The exhibition "Cùng một chặng đường" (On the Same Path), featuring the works of veteran painters Le Van Thin and Tran Luan Tin, is currently underway in Hanoi. Running from July 18 to August 7, the exhibition celebrates over half a century of their persistent pursuit of art, showcasing their distinct styles and shared passion for painting. Both artists began their artistic journey at the Hanoi University of Fine Arts as children. Despite life's diverging paths, their passion for the brush and colors never waned. Now in their seventies, they reunite in a shared artistic space. The exhibition serves not only as a platform to present their latest artistic achievements but also as a tribute to the path of painting they embarked on in their childhood, symbolizing their enduring commitment. While life's journey may have been arduous, their world of art remains luminous and filled with simple yet profound creative joy. At the exhibition, the public and art lovers can immerse themselves in the bold and unique creative worlds of the two artists. Particularly, Le Van Thin's "Cubist" style offers striking visual impressions. Rather than adhering to conventional anatomy or realism, the artist uses the "Cubist" technique to express the fragmentation of space, thereby opening up a multidimensional world that invites association. The traditional lacquer material is combined with unique natural materials such as shell fragments, oyster shells, and mother-of-pearl, arranged intentionally in layers. The natural glossiness and roughness of oyster and seashell fragments, under a strong epoxy coating, create a "strangely transparent illusion," leading viewers into a world that is half real and half illusory, shimmering with multiple colors yet full of mystery. Le Van Thin's series of paintings uses scorching hot colors, depicting coiled human bodies, exposing memories, bruised reflections, and profound experiences of life's impermanent self. Alongside these, paintings in dark, somber yet magnificent hues encapsulate deep philosophical contemplations, bringing a sense of peace and faith in the future. Le Van Thin, born in 1952, is a member of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association. He graduated from the University of Fine Arts in 1981 and has participated in numerous art exhibitions both domestically and internationally, such as the Philip Morris Asian Art Exhibition; international art exhibitions in Paris, Beijing, Seoul; and joint exhibitions like "Giao Cảm" (with Trieu Khac Le), "Yêu" (with Tran Ngoc Hung), "Du & Dội" (with Ngo Xuan Binh), and "Niệm" (with Ngo Xuan Binh, Dang Tin Tuong, Dao Trong Cuong). His paintings are included in collections in the UK, France, the US, Hong Kong (China), China, and Japan. Tran Luan Tin, born in 1951, was formerly a soldier in Signal Battalion 18, Division 325, Army Corps 2. He graduated from the 7-year program at the Hanoi University of Fine Arts and is currently a sculptor with the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Association. He participated in the 2022 group exhibition "Lotus, since 1991" at Lotus Gallery. His works have been selected and collected by individual collectors in South Korea, Singapore, and Vietnam. This exhibition highlights the diversity of contemporary Vietnamese art and the dedication of artists to their craft over decades.