4 Vietnamese-American artists with 'Hello Vietnam'

On the afternoon of February 13, at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, four Vietnamese-American artists, including Anh Bach (Bach Hoang Anh), Mina Ho Ferrante (Ho Mong Nha Uyen), Tim Nguyen (Nguyen K Quy), and Ly Tran (Tran Phuong Ly), will open their first joint exhibition in Vietnam, called Hello Vietnam (lasting until February 21).

Artist Ly Tran's paintings in conceptual realism style

According to the artists, although they have not met in person, they consider each other as family. "We came back to Vietnam not only to greet the country, but also to greet each other - the first time after a year of only 'chatting' online," said artist Mina Ho Ferrante.

Specifically, artist Tim Nguyen lives in Makakilo. Mina Ho Ferrante lives in Burbank, California. Ly Tran lives in Rockville, Maryland. Bach lives in Spring, Texas.

Desire for global connection

Artist Ly Tran said: "I still remember the first time we had an online meeting to discuss the exhibition. I kept repeating: Tim, 9pm East Coast time is 3pm Hawaii time for you, 6pm Cali time for Mina, remember that, everyone. And just like that, the four of us made an appointment to return to our homeland to say Goodbye to Vietnam ."

For artist Tim Nguyen, this is the first time he has returned to his homeland to exhibit, after more than 20 years living in Hawaii. "Through social networks, a group of four of us found each other, with the same profession, interests, and compatibility, so the exhibition Hello Vietnam is also an opportunity for us to meet and exchange experiences. For me, painting is a career, like a profession. My paintings simply depict the daily life of the Hawaiian people where I live. Some people say I paint in the impressionist style... Probably so," he confided.

Tim Nguyen's paintings depict the daily lives of Hawaiian people.

If Ly Tran's paintings follow the conceptual realism style, Tim Nguyen's paintings depict the daily life of Hawaiian people. He wants to portray them honestly, gently, naturally, but also impressively. Tim Nguyen feels very lucky to be able to live and do what he loves on the land of "blue sea, white sand" of Hawaii.

Mr. Bach joins 3 friends from all over the world in a series of paintings about women. In everyday life, women often have to work hard and worry about many things. Therefore, in his paintings, Mr. Bach wants them to appear in beautiful, peaceful, and fulfilling moments. These could be moments of sitting reading a book, putting on makeup, sunbathing, or wandering around taking pictures...

For Mina Ho Ferrante, having worked for Walt Disney Animation Studios has influenced her later creative process to some extent. "Each emotion when holding a brush often leads to paintings with different nuances: sometimes almost abstract, sometimes with a hint of impressionism, sometimes even classical. But no matter what, all of these styles are a part of me," artist Mina Ho Ferrante expressed.

Bach's works are inspired by the peaceful figure of a happy woman.

Painting by artist Mina Ho Ferrante

And with the exhibition Hello Vietnam , the four Vietnamese-American artists hope to connect with more Vietnamese-American artists around the world. "We are welcomed to have the motivation to make it an annual exhibition for many years to come," artist Ly Tran, on behalf of the group, shared with the press.

After the exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City, four Vietnamese-American artists: Anh Bach (Bach Hoang Anh), Mina Ho Ferrante (Ho Mong Nha Uyen), Tim Nguyen (Nguyen K Quy) and Ly Tran (Tran Phuong Ly) will bring Hello Vietnam to Hanoi (taking place from March 1 to March 9) at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/4-hoa-si-my-goc-viet-cung-chao-viet-nam-185250212114948555.htm