The exhibit is reflective of the longstanding diplomatic history between Viet Nam and Russia.
The renowned painter graduated from the Serov Art College in Leningrad. At 46, his works have met with great acclaim in Russia and have been showcased in Austria, the US and now Viet Nam.
The exhibition includes Zhumabaev’s 12 oil-on-canvas pieces painted during his first visit to Viet Nam in 2002.nguyen art gallery.
His paintings highlight the nation’s beauty, capturing places such as Pho Co (Old Square), Cau The Huc (Red Bridge) and Ha Long (Bay). Zhumabaev also found inspiration in the areas surrounding urban centres. Lang Que (Village) and Dong Song (the River) reflect the peace and quiet he discovered there.
“This is the third time I have visited Viet Nam,” he says, “I think the visit will be a meaningful and successful one.”
The fourteen Vietnamese painters exhibited have studied at fine arts universities and colleges in Russia and include Vu Duy Nghia, Ngo Manh Lan, Le Huy Tiep, Le Thanh Minh, Le Lam and Tran Gia Bich.
Though drawing on different styles and themes, they are all recognised for their talent.
Nghia’s work focuses on the Vietnamese countryside with bright, cheerful colours like in Cho Que (Rural Market) and Vao Mua (In the Harvest).
Tran Gia Bich’s painting Hoa Rung (Flower of the Forest) is a white lacquer work. Bich figures young ethnic women in white dresses with a white horse drinking water.
However, the exhibition doesn’t aim to sell paintings according to Nguyen Thuy Dung, an assistant at Thang Long Gallery.
Dung says, “All of the paintings displayed here are not for sale as per the painters’ requests.”
Zhumabaev says, “These paintings are unforgettable to us.”
The paintings date from 1980-2005. Now middle-aged, both Zhumabaev and the Vietnamese painters want to share their memories through this joint exhibition.
The Russian Science and Cultural Centre and the Viet Nam Fine Arts Association sponsored the exhibition which will run until next Wednesday at Thang Long (Dragon) Gallery, 12 To Tich Street, Ha Noi. — VNS
