On the 35th anniversary of Perfume River Magazine, the painters who have lived and worked in Hue and are the collaborators of Perfume River Magazine discussed the exhibition of paintings to share joy with the magazine. "Back to the Perfume River" is the painters’ warm heart toward the magazine closely associated with Hue literary-artistic circle’s spiritual life.
The work “A Countryside Corner” by Nguyen Anh Duong
The exhibition introduces the 22 works of fine arts by 10 painters: Le Ba Cang, Nguyen Anh Duong, Nguyen Thien Duc, Le Van Nhuong, Dang Mau Triet, Pham Trinh, Dang Mau Tuu and so on. The names have created a deep impression on the fine arts circle of Thua Thien Hue in particular and the country in general.
With many materials such as lacquer, oil paint, acrylic, woodblock, synthesis, the authors have presented a lot of contents about the contemporary life, the in-depth reminiscences of Vietnamese culture, the portrait of Hue culture, the reflections on the world, and the desire to innovate.
These are the “Khúc tiêu giao” (A musical piece of rambling with easiness), “Múa hoa đăng” (A traditional dance with flowers and lanterns) replete with Hue Imperial Palace’s echoes by Dang Mau Triet; Nguyen Thien Duc’s deep and impressive reflections; Pham Trinh's surreal forefathers in Hue spirit; Nguyen Anh Duong’s countryside scenes full of anxiety in the sunshine, or Nguyen Dang Son’s old recollections and so on. All have created a beautiful gallery filled with the flavors with distinctive nuances.
The work "Rừng chật” (Dense Forest) by Dang Mau Tuu
One of the names that are familiar to the fine art-loving public is Painter Dang Mau Tuu, contributing 4 works to the gallery: “Cái bóng”(The Shadow), “Độc thoại” (Monologue), “Rừng chật” (Dense Forest) and “Sương chiều Bạch Mã” (Bạch Mã Evening Mist). If “Sương chiều Bạch Mã” is the emotion of the beauty of nature, of mountains and forests as poetic as a watercolor painting, his remaining works are full of thought.
Though “Rừng chật” (Dense Forest) is abstractly drawn, the viewers, if looking into it, will see the image of the animals hustling in a narrow forest. The bright colors in the paintings show the animals living happily together, but hidden behind them are the narrowed shrieks of forests, and the call for the people to protect the environment together. With “Độc thoại” (Monologue) painter Dang Mau Tuu is asking himself questions, and then he himself answers the problems of human life.
The work “Khúc tiêu giao” (A Musical Piece of Rambling with Easiness) by Dang Mau Triet
Watching rustic landscape through the paintings by young artist Nguyen Anh Duong brings viewers peace and relaxation in the soul. Contemplating “Nẻo về thinh không” ( The Path back to Tranquility) and “Góc quê” (A Countryside Corner) with oil paint on the canvas, viewers feel as if they were in harmony with nature, gave up the sorrows before the poetic quietness of Huyen Khong Son Thuong Pagoda or the charm of Hue’s environs in the early morning sun.
Nguyen Anh Duong shared, “Recently, I have centered on drawing scenery with the desire to deeply sense the simple corner of the countryside in Hue. For drawing pictures, I spend a lot of time observing to sense and wait to choose the best light moment. "
For artists engaging in the gallery, the exhibition “Back to the Perfume River" is a tribute to the magazine, which is seen as part of the spiritual life. Moreover, this is where Hue’s identities of land and people converge. Writer Ho Dang Thanh Ngoc, Editor-in-chief of the Perfume River Magazine, said, "We are grateful to the artists who have devoted their enthusiasm to this gallery, the enthusiasm of those who love the land that gave birth to them, nourishes their soul and follows them on the path of art. The gallery proved that the theme of the people, culture of the land where artists live will be the eternal one. The more closely the work is associated with the national cultural identity and human lifestyle, the more far-reaching its effect is.
Story and photo: Trang Hien