Artist Van Duong Thanh and his endless journey with painting

Present, Artist Van Duong Thanh stands at the pinnacle of his career and is one of the very few artists who can make a healthy living by painting. Possessing a beauty that time has forgotten, sweet voice with the accent of a native Hanoian, The person known as the "muse" in the paintings of famous artist Bui Xuan Phai also has many impressive stories about his journey of living and working with the painting profession..

Artist Van Duong Thanh. Image: NVCC

An enduring love for Hanoi

I visited artist Van Duong Thanh when she had just completed the painting "Qui Mao" to welcome the new year 2023. White Lotus Villa on the side of Tay Ho (Hanoi) is her very own painting space. There, Large paintings hang on the walls, Small paintings dotted. On the easel, works in progress. Every year she has several exhibitions, Many events are held right at this address. So, White Lotus Villa has become a familiar destination for many art lovers.

Painting “Quy Mao” by artist Van Duong Thanh. Image: Pham Hang

Devotees once visited this place, You will certainly be impressed with an array of paintings that create a unique impression by artist Van Duong Thanh, It's a painting about Hanoi. With artist Van Duong Thanh, Hanoi always cherishes memories, nostalgia and boundless love for the land I was attached to during the first years of my pure life. That love goes into the drawings for viewers to see, When looking at Van Duong Thanh's works about Hanoi, one can see a Hanoi across miles and miles of time, both ancient and modern, both quiet but equally vibrant, brings both nostalgia and memories, filled with the reality of contemporary life.

Painting space at the White Lotus Villa by artist Van Duong Thanh. Image: Pham Hang

Artist Van Duong Thanh tells, when I was a child, lives on Quan Thanh street, She often goes to Ngu Xa ward by the swamp of Truc Bach lake, where Hanoi's sophisticated bronze casting art is located. Those images are deeply imprinted in her memory and seem to be unconsciously hidden in the composition, pen strokes, rhythm of Van Duong Thanh's paintings.

Hanoi in Van Duong Thanh's memory is still full of childhood memories with a father who, despite being poor, still encouraged his daughter to learn to draw.. That's why later, Every time she remembers her father, she remembers Hanoi with its small street corners, water shop, pho restaurant, with sidewalk, The house retains its architectural color, The color of time is so strong that my father took me there when I was little. Or the deep magenta color of spring in Asian countries that is deeply ingrained, rooted in her soul…

Oil painting on canvas – “Flowers by Hoan Kiem Lake” painted by artist Van Duong Thanh on the day 12/01/2019.

Or 12 years studying at l'Ecole de Beaux Indochina School of Art and Hanoi University of Fine Arts, She graduated from the Master of Fine Arts in 1980 and achieved success from a very young age, There are works that have won awards from the Vietnam Fine Arts Association in many years 1972, 1974, 1975. Almost all the time 30 Last year she was a "cultural ambassador" between Vietnam – Sweden, Efforts to introduce Vietnamese culture through teaching painting, cuisine and with his own works. But, Just like so many people, "no matter how far I go, My heart still looks to Hanoi".

"Muse" in Bui Xuan Phai's painting

In stories about the profession, Artist Van Duong Thanh often mentions famous artist Bui Xuan Phai. According to the story of the female artist, Famous artist Bui Xuan Phai painted her closely 300 sketch and approx 20 Large oil painting. Most of those paintings are still carefully preserved by artist Van Duong Thanh. It is a priceless gift that famous artist Bui Xuan Phai gave to his "muse"., ever since I met Van Duong Thanh in my grandmother's year 17 age up to five 1988, before the famous artist passed away.

Artist Bui Xuan Phai and artist Van Duong Thanh. Image: NVCC

Artist Van Duong Thanh said:, She admires talented artists like Bui Xuan Phai, Van Cao, Nguyen Tu Nghiem, Nguyen Sang... started from looking at the illustrations in the Van Nghe newspaper. At that time, Thanh often saves money 5 breakfast coins to buy newspapers, After reading, cut out the teachers' illustrations and paste them into a notebook as a souvenir.

Afterward, about five 1967, When 17 tuổi, by chance, Artist Van Duong Thanh met someone he admired – famous painter Bui Xuan Phai. Since, even though I haven't studied a day yet, But she always considered herself a student of artist Bui Xuan Phai. After that, every time a painting is sold, Artist Van Duong Thanh often uses part of the money to buy gifts to give to "uncle Phai"...

Painting of famous artist Bui Xuan Phai by artist Van Duong Thanh

Year 2000, There is an exhibition of famous artist Bui Xuan Phai in Sweden. The exhibition created a huge buzz when it attracted thousands of people in Northern Europe while previously in Northern Europe, Vietnamese painting is not widely known. The creator of that exhibition's success is artist Van Duong Thanh – Invited people join the Organizing Committee to evaluate and select Bui Xuan Phai's paintings to display at the exhibition.

Always wanting his teacher to become more known in the world as well as affirm the value of Vietnamese painting, Artist Van Duong Thanh expressed: “When Uncle Phai passed away, Every year I always think there will be an event to celebrate, to remind everyone of Bui Xuan Phai, reminds us of the country's talented painters. As a habit, Every year I draw Uncle Phai, every year at least 5 arrive 10 portrait, Painter Bui Xuan Phai has painted hundreds of paintings so far.".

When painting a portrait of Bui Xuan Phai, Artist Van Duong Thanh said "nothing is difficult at all". Because of the female artist: “When drawing, a person studies for a long time, Seeing his face for so many years, his eyes, his person, understand his mentality, I just need to express his creativity, just like writing a book. If I have enough materials and experience, I can write forever., I can write forever without running out of ideas.”.

Bui Xuan Phai painted Van Duong Thanh, Now Van Duong Thanh paints Bui Xuan Phai – What a rare interaction in art.

The artist “cultural diplomacy” through painting

Left Vietnam to pursue graduate studies in Swedish language years ago 1990, Artist Van Duong Thanh settled in Sweden, At this time, she was a famous artist in the country and the region, However, the land of the West is still unknown to many people. After years of persistently learning foreign languages, Coincidentally, it was principal Ann-katerin who discovered the painting talent of "the muse in Bui Xuan Phai's paintings"., The principal asked artist Van Duong Thanh to lead the class to teach Eastern art knowledge and oil painting techniques.

Or 10 years since settlement, with a tight work schedule, both teaching and composing, Artist Van Duong Thanh saved up to buy a villa in Stockkhom, Sweden, That is the joy of the female artist when looking back on her journey of living and working hard.

Artist Van Duong Thanh in his youth. Image: NVCC

In people's diplomacy activities related to culture and arts, The authorities all put their trust in it, esteem and call artist Van Duong Thanh "cultural ambassador", including ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary currently working in Vietnam. In most programs, international cultural exchange event, Artist Van Duong Thanh was given full trust by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Government to draw his works as gifts for a series of politicians from five continents..

With every politician, The female artist diligently researched her background, personality, education, hobbies and even the university the politician attended. From the bottom of my heart along with thoroughly exploring each person's interests, Artist Van Duong Thanh has created works dedicated to President Obama (year 2016), President Bil Clinton, President Trump's wife (year 2019), North Korean President Kim Jong Un or Swedish crown princess Victoria Desiree... and these leaders sent handwritten letters to their homes to thank them., noted at the same time, Appreciate the work that the female artist donated.

Master sculptor Brancusi through the drawings of artist Van Duong Thanh

It seems, Nature has given artist Van Duong Thanh many great gifts, That's a kind heart and outstanding painting talent. Maybe that's why nature took away her shoulder. The "muse" in Bui Xuan Phai's painting still calmly travels back and forth between Vietnam and Sweden alone. Her current life is closely associated with painting works, teaching, chia sẻ, inspiring many generations of students to pursue art, is a reputable bridge, Spreading cultural messages imbued with Vietnamese identity to the world.

After many adventures in life as well as in painting, The female artist found “peace, grateful for life, ơn người và an nhiên tự tại”.

(Nguồn: Pham Hang – Thời Báo Văn Học Nghệ Thuật)