The event, titled Memory Game includes 91 oil paintings by Trinh Thanh Tung, vietnamese a war veteran who has been painting for 50 years.
In the exhibition, Tung introduces his experimentations with various genres, including abstract, demi-surrealism and realism.
Tung’s works in realism, including Sen (Lotus), Gai Xuan (Young Girl) and Trang Non (New Moon), feature the beauty of people and the natural world.
Other works like Nguoi Chim (Birdwoman) and Vu Khuc Thanh Binh (Dance of Peace) lay bare people’s views and subconscious. These demi-surrealist paintings are memorable for their fantastical images and warm colours like purplish red.
Tung, 66, says his art is very complex. “I love painting when I live in a soaring state of mind because I can imagine my own world,” said the self-taught artist.
Two of the highlights are Ky Uc Chien Tranh (Memory of War) and Y Chi Sat Thep (Strong Will).
While Memory of War expresses the artist’s own living memories about the American war, Strong Will depicts Prof Le Quang Vinh – an intellectual revolutionary in pre-1975 Sai Gon.
Tung called his exhibition Memory Game because he wanted “to play with [his] memory.”
Visiting Memory Game, you will leave behind your worries and troubles about the past, present and future. It’s just your love for art.
The exhibit is at the HCM City Fine Arts Museum, 97A Pho Duc Chinh Street, District 1. It is open everyday from 9am to 5pm, and runs through next Monday. — VNS
