Bach finds great inspiration from her friends, relatives and colleagues, as well as from Dao, Mong and Thai ethnic groups.
Bach was born in 1938 and studied at the Kiev National University of Arts in Ukraine. Her work expresses the happiness and sorrow she has witnessed throughout her life.
“Kim Bach is considered one of the country’s greatest portraitists,” arts critic Nguyen Quan says. “She has amazing skills in expressing emotions and moods through a subject’s features.”
“Bach doesn’t simply draw a painting, she tells her life story to the viewers.”
Critic Bui Nhu Huong agrees. “I’m impressed by Bach’s portraits on silk. Her brush skills are extremely refined, and her characters are of near-perfect beauty.”
“Bach has studied in a foreign country, but her work attracts viewers because of it also has a traditional Vietnamese style.”
The exhibition is showing 13 lacquer paintings, 20 pencil drawings on paper, eight water colours, 11 oil paintings, 37 pieces of silk paintings and one pastel canvas.
Aside from portraits, Bach also brings to visitors a new interpretation of still lives with her beautiful faded flowers.
“A blooming flower shows all of its beauty, but a faded flower hides something, a deeper, different and more profound beauty,” Bach said.
Her opinions about life and beauty may surprise visitors. Through her paintings, we can understand her innermost feelings. She has devoted her life to her art.
“Painting is my life and sustenance,” she says. “I would just give up if I weren’t able to hold my brushes.”
The exhibition is open until next Monday at the Viet Nam Fine Arts Museum, 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Ha Noi. — VNS
