A painting by Bui Xuan Phai (Photo: Internet) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Painting lovers have achance to see a collection of sketches by late Bui Xuan Phai to celebrate whatwould have been his 99th birthday in Hanoi.
Entitled “Phai Ve Dam” (Phai Draws Dam), the works on displaywere collected by Thai collector Tira Vanictheeranont.
The collection not only includes paintings portraying NguyenBa Dam - the artist's friend - but also some other friends' portraits and newspaperillustrations.
"It is a rare chance for people to see popularly theworks by Phai," collector Truong Nhuan said.
"A few exhibitions were made several decades ago bycollectors Tran Hau Tuan in 1988 and Nguyen Manh Phuc in 2007 in Hanoi on theoccasion of the 10th and the 20th anniversary of the artist's death."
Dam is now 96 years old and still living in Hanoi. He was oneof Phai's closest friends and was sketched more than 240 times.
The old teacher's face and personality was what Phai was lookingfor in a muse to explore inner Hanoians, with his solemn yet witty demeanor andcrooked nose on a square face.
Phai drew his friend wherever and with whatever material hehad to hand, such as ink pen, colour pencil, ink, ballpoint pen and oil pencil,among others.
The works include a sketch by Phai to test a new pencil givento him by Dam, one of many small sketches on display.
Phai made his name by creating art on Hanoi's Old Quarter. Hewas born in Hoai Duc district on the outskirts of the capital on September 1,1920.
He was among the last artists to graduate from the IndochinaFine Arts College in 1941-1945.
As well as his famed oil-on-canvas paintings, he also hadsuccess with other themes including cheo (traditional opera) and portraits. Heused many materials such as canvas, paper, wood and even old newspapers due toa lack of material.
Phai won various awards at National Fine Arts Exhibitions andHanoi Fine Arts Exhibitions many times. His illustrations on cheo won the bookdesign prize at the Leipzig Book Fair in 1982.
He died on 1988 in Hanoi. In 1996, he was posthumouslyawarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize in literature and arts.
An award was launched in 2008 named "Bui Xuan Phai Award- For The Love of Hanoi" to honour his career and to spread his love for Hanoi.The awards are well respected and honour the contributions of individuals andorganisations to society, culture and the arts in Hanoi.
The late artist was commemorated with a doodle on google.comon Sunday on the occasion of his 99th birthday anniversary.
The Thai collector Tira Vanictheeranont came to Vietnam 27years ago as a private supplier of hardware to the HCM City Power Company. Hebecame a collector in 2006 in retirement.
The Bui Xuan Phai exhibition runs till September 6 at ChonAuction House, 63 Ham Long Street, Hanoi.-VNS/VNA
Entitled “Phai Ve Dam” (Phai Draws Dam), the works on displaywere collected by Thai collector Tira Vanictheeranont.
The collection not only includes paintings portraying NguyenBa Dam - the artist's friend - but also some other friends' portraits and newspaperillustrations.
"It is a rare chance for people to see popularly theworks by Phai," collector Truong Nhuan said.
"A few exhibitions were made several decades ago bycollectors Tran Hau Tuan in 1988 and Nguyen Manh Phuc in 2007 in Hanoi on theoccasion of the 10th and the 20th anniversary of the artist's death."
Dam is now 96 years old and still living in Hanoi. He was oneof Phai's closest friends and was sketched more than 240 times.
The old teacher's face and personality was what Phai was lookingfor in a muse to explore inner Hanoians, with his solemn yet witty demeanor andcrooked nose on a square face.
Phai drew his friend wherever and with whatever material hehad to hand, such as ink pen, colour pencil, ink, ballpoint pen and oil pencil,among others.
The works include a sketch by Phai to test a new pencil givento him by Dam, one of many small sketches on display.
Phai made his name by creating art on Hanoi's Old Quarter. Hewas born in Hoai Duc district on the outskirts of the capital on September 1,1920.
He was among the last artists to graduate from the IndochinaFine Arts College in 1941-1945.
As well as his famed oil-on-canvas paintings, he also hadsuccess with other themes including cheo (traditional opera) and portraits. Heused many materials such as canvas, paper, wood and even old newspapers due toa lack of material.
Phai won various awards at National Fine Arts Exhibitions andHanoi Fine Arts Exhibitions many times. His illustrations on cheo won the bookdesign prize at the Leipzig Book Fair in 1982.
He died on 1988 in Hanoi. In 1996, he was posthumouslyawarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize in literature and arts.
An award was launched in 2008 named "Bui Xuan Phai Award- For The Love of Hanoi" to honour his career and to spread his love for Hanoi.The awards are well respected and honour the contributions of individuals andorganisations to society, culture and the arts in Hanoi.
The late artist was commemorated with a doodle on google.comon Sunday on the occasion of his 99th birthday anniversary.
The Thai collector Tira Vanictheeranont came to Vietnam 27years ago as a private supplier of hardware to the HCM City Power Company. Hebecame a collector in 2006 in retirement.
The Bui Xuan Phai exhibition runs till September 6 at ChonAuction House, 63 Ham Long Street, Hanoi.-VNS/VNA
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