Translator Trinh Lu returns to the book world through... painting

Painting - Trinh Lu's 2014 Painting Diary includes 70 notes accompanied by nearly 70 full-color landscape paintings by artist Trinh Lu during more than 100 days of cycling to paint landscapes in the United States.

In the 2015 exhibition in Hanoi displaying these works, Trinh Lu wrote: "What is landscape? It is the image of heaven, earth, and life. Is painting landscape a search for those images? Not exactly. So what to paint? Paint what you suddenly see and recognize. What is it called? It is a private 'sympathy' between yourself and the landscape. When you are also a clump of trees, a blade of grass, a streak of sunlight, a cloud silently singing along to the quiet music of life...".

Going to Paint - Trinh Lu's 2014 Painting Diary includes 70 notes and paintings from over 100 days of cycling to paint landscapes in America.

It can be said that these self-questions have crept into the words and paintings, making each word and each painting nostalgic and passionate. From the author's "sympathy" with the scene, we can hear our sympathy with the author. Therefore, this book depicts scenes of a foreign land whose sentiments are close to our own. From there, reading Trinh Lu's words, looking at Trinh Lu's paintings, readers will surely have the feeling of sitting down, drinking tea, looking at paintings, chatting intimately...

Is the flat world home everywhere now?

This "re-release", the work was born with changes compared to 10 years ago, such as the book size 17x22 cm - larger, giving readers a better reading and viewing experience. In addition, the publication also adds thoughts that were not in the old version.

Dr. Pham Long - the person who advocated and introduced the work - shared: "Every article and every painting in this work is as simple as the sincere love of the artist who loves the land, loves the sky, loves life, loves people, whispering to himself, but somehow makes the reader easily infected with a sense of peace and serenity".

He also added: "The more you look at his paintings and read his daily notes on painting, the more those who love painting and writing will feel their thirst satisfied. His color palette is simple yet elegant, his writing style is academic, profound, impressive and expressive. His writing style is intimate, gentle, rich in poetry, making readers feel like they are riding a bicycle with him, setting up an easel by a forest trail or sitting down somewhere on the grass on a damp afternoon, listening to him whisper about life while witnessing the features of nature gradually emerging under his talented pen. His paintings depict foreign lands and strangers, but why don't you feel the strangeness of the scenery or the distance between people? Is the flat world now home everywhere?...".

It can be said that these self-questions have crept into the words and paintings, making each word and each painting emotional and passionate...

In 2016, the Shorewood village where Trinh Lu chose to paint the landscape organized a weekly art exhibition and painting group with Trinh Lu as its inspiration. In late 2018, Shorewood Today magazine introduced Trinh Lu as a good “neighbor” to the local community.

Trinh Lu studied at the University of Mining and Geology. He graduated with a master's degree in Communication Science from Cornell University. He has undertaken various tasks, such as working on enemy propaganda on radio during the war against the US, a Development Communication expert for the United Nations, an independent consultant on development strategy and communication (Vietnam and the US)...

Over the years, he has translated and written books on literature, painting, photography, participated in podcasts and been a speaker at many events for today's youth; has had many solo exhibitions as well as participated in group exhibitions in the US and Vietnam.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dich-gia-trinh-lu-tro-lai-lang-sach-qua-hoi-hoa-185241014153123487.htm