Biography of Phan Ke An
Phan Ke An (20/3/1923 – 21/1/2018), also known under the pseudonym Phan Kich, was born in Son Tay, Vietnam. His father is Phan Ke Toai, formerly Minister of the Interior, Deputy Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Phan Ke An studied in class XVIII (1944-1945) at the Indochina Fine Arts School (École des Beaux- Arts de l’Indochine), now is Vietnamese University of Fine Arts. He was one of the first members of the painting industry – Vietnam Fine Arts Association since 1957.
Phan Kế An studied at Bưởi school under famous teachers such as Le Thi Luu, To Ngoc Van and Nguyen Tuong Lan. He enrolled in the Indochina College of Fien Arts in 1944, but then joined the Viet Minh guerrillas before graduating along with many other artists from his class. He was tasked with drawing anti-colonial caricatures on walls in French occupied territory.
Phan Ke An’s Career
Painter Phan Ke An has a talent for composing in many genres and proficiently uses many materials such as lacquer, oil paint, silk, and woodcarving… His paintings contain a realistic style, focusing on many subjects about leaders, resistance wars, and daily activities of mountainous and midland ethnic groups with true and profound emotions. Phan Ke An’s works are always appreciated for their artistic quality.
Painter Phan Ke An was the first person to draw a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh in 1948. During this time, he created more than 20 paintings of Uncle Ho, which were later published in the Truth newspaper. Most of the famous artists of that time such as Nguyen Hong, The Lu, Nguyen Cong Hoan, Nguyen Huy Tuong, Nguyen Tuan, Hoai Thanh, Hoang Trung Thong, Tran Le Van, Quang Dung, Hoang Cam, Anh Tho was drawn by Phan Ke An.
In the winter of 1950, as a special envoy for the Viet Minh, his painting Remembering the Northwest/Remember One the Northwest (Nhớ Một Chiều Tây Bắc), quickly established him as a renowned lacquer artist. The image was later immortalized by poet Doan Viet Bac in his poem of the same name and was later accompanied by music from the composer Vũ Thành.
In addition to portrait sketches, Phan Ke An is also famous for his satirical paintings under the pseudonym Phan Kich and many enthusiastic articles about fine arts.
Phan Ke An’s artworks were part of the Realism in Asian Art exhibition co-organized by The National Art Gallery, Singapore and at the National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea in 2010.
He passed away at the age of 94 in 2018.
Phan Ke An’s Official Roles
During his career, An held a number of official positions:
• Member of the Central Art Committee, 1951-1957
• Member of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, 1957
• Deputy General Secretary of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, 1958-1978
• Member of Executive Committee of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, 1957-1983.
• Member of the Executive Board, Member of the Professional Committee, Chairman of the Artistic Council of Graphic Design II Vietnam Association of Fine Arts, 1983-1989
• Member of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association Examination Board III, 1989-1994
Highlighted Artworks of Phan Ke An
• Ha Noi Christmas 1972 bombing, 1987
• Portrait of Ho Chi Minh, 1948
• Viet Minh Solider, 1946
• Woman Solider, 1965
• Minority Woman, 1970…
