Author Archives: Art Nation

Literature meets art in an allusive panorama

“Allusive Panorama” is a rare artistic event that not only reaffirms Emperor Ham Nghi’s status as Vietnam’s first modern artist but also intricately weaves a richly layered historical narrative imbued with a deep sense of national spirit. Within this broader vision, the display of Can Vuong-era literature by calligrapher Chau Hai Duong stands out as […]

3rd UOB Painting of the Year in Vietnam

This year’s competition convened a jury panel of veteran artists and researchers in the Vietnamese art landscape, including: artist Dang Xuan Hoa (Chief Judge), artist Do Hoang Tuong, artist Le Thua Tien, and Prof Pamela Nguyen Corey. With over 600 submissions received for both the Established Artists and Emerging Artists categories, the competition has proven […]

To paint with melodies

In the early days of Western music history, art had permeated the realm of sound, exerting a profound impact on the processes of music creation, performance, and appreciation. During the Baroque era, which spanned from the late sixteenth century to the first half of the eighteenth century, art emerged as a potent catalyst for transforming […]

The story of Nguyen Phan Chanh’s silk painting restoration and conservation

Nguyen Phan Chanh (1892–1984) is a prominent Vietnamese painter famous for his exquisite silk paintings that beautifully depict rural life and the cultural essence of Vietnam. His works often feature scenes of women and children engaged in daily activities, showcasing a unique blend of traditional Vietnamese aesthetics and modern artistic techniques. Nguyen Phan Chanh’s silk […]

In memory of Vietnam’s first banknote illustrations

Amidst the complex and turbulent historical context of twentieth century Vietnam, currency design played a crucial role in conveying cultural, historical, and national messages. Behind these designs were great efforts to harmonise art and historical awareness, producing currency notes that symbolised independence, resistance, and nation-building. Since the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the […]

Allusive Panorama

This non-commercial exhibition brought together over 20 original oil landscape paintings created by Emperor Ham Nghi during his exile, assembled from 10 private collections. The artworks have been authenticated, conserved, and restored by leading experts and were co-curated by art researcher Ace Le and Dr Amandine Dabat, 5th-generation descendant of Emperor Ham Nghi. Beyond paintings, […]

A Brief History of Botanical Art in Vietnam

As a field that combines science and art, botanical art once played an important role in both Vietnamese painting and medicine. In the twentieth century, botanical art was popular in textbooks, scientific publications, advertisements, etc. However, it has gradually declined since the 2000s due to the widespread use of digital cameras. In this article, I […]

Young birds from strange mountains

Curated by Sarnt Utamachote, Ferdiansyah Thajib, Hai Nam Nguyen, Thao Ho, and Ragil Huda, this is the first community-based exhibition in Berlin to explore gender and sexuality in Southeast Asia. Beginning with the question, “What does it mean to be a Southeast Asian queer person living far from home?”, the curators expanded the exhibition’s scope […]