A 30-year journey with silk.

Artist Bui Tien Tuan is known in the art world for his innovative approach to silk painting. Photo: Provided by the artist.

From chalk dust to silken sheen

Before becoming a well-known name in silk painting, Bui Tien Tuan was a lecturer at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Fine Arts. His years teaching helped him to persistently research and gain a deeper understanding of Vietnamese art history, especially traditional silk painting – a medium that was once highly regarded but also faded into obscurity amidst the wave of modern painting.

What is easily recognizable in Bui Tien Tuan's paintings is the image of fashionable , modern, and somewhat daring women. Speaking about his work "Women, Masks, and Shadows," which won a Silver Medal (no Gold Medal awarded) at the 2010 National Fine Arts Exhibition, he said it was a milestone affirming his personal mark in the art world and also a reminder that silk painting is still appreciated. "I'm not trying to modernize silk painting; I just want to bring it closer to today's life, where women are not confined by shyness, but can actively express their identity, inner feelings, and even the complex aspects of themselves," the artist shared.

Many silk paintings depicting women were included in the artist's recent solo exhibition, "Bui Tien Tuan - A Journey," held in Ho Chi Minh City. Curator Ly Doi noted that the women in Bui Tien Tuan's paintings often lack the characteristics of rural and agricultural life , instead portraying urban dwellers who appreciate fashion, sometimes even a bit frivolous and hedonistic. They cherish and value themselves, being independent in their thoughts and actions. Because of their independence, their feelings, joys, and even loneliness are quite different from those of working women who toil for a living. Therefore, the color palette of the artist's silk paintings is also more unconventional.

According to Ly Doi, Bui Tien Tuan's silk paintings are quite similar to those of painter Nguyen Phan Chanh (1892-1984) in the aspect of giving roles to everyday characters. The women in both paintings seem to occupy the entire space of the painting, sometimes overshadowing and replacing everything else. Compared to the common heaven-earth-human structure of a traditional silk painting, Bui Tien Tuan focuses on humanity, sometimes without needing heaven or earth.

For three decades, this artist from Quang Nam province has pursued silk painting, expressing the individuality of a multifaceted person with a unique worldview. He doesn't rigidly pursue traditional beauty, nor does he "expose" the female body; instead, he uses contrasting light and dark colors to reflect desires, inner conflicts, and the freedom of choice. Art researcher Ngo Kim Khoi observes that most of Bui Tien Tuan's nude paintings are both sensual and celebrate the female body within the "form and emptiness" of the universe. These are brushstrokes that break free from old norms, imbued with a contemporary spirit, both in composition, materials, and the overall essence of the artwork. On traditional silk, he experiments with new approaches to color and light.

Thin, translucent layers of color are superimposed to create visual depth, as if each painting has its own breath, with subtle movements of emotion and time.

For three decades, this artist from Quang Nam has pursued silk painting, expressing the individuality of a multifaceted person with a unique worldview. For him, each painting is a journey, each layer of color a exploration of emotion. He doesn't rigidly pursue traditional beauty, nor does he "expose" the female body; instead, he uses contrasting light and dark colors to reflect desires, internal conflicts, and the freedom of choice.

Escape from the safe "cocoon".

What makes his silk paintings special is the combination of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary spirit. While acknowledging that he doesn't shy away from challenging subjects or symbols of urban life, Bui Tien Tuan constantly experiments with new forms of expression on traditional silk. The free-flowing lines, trendy colors, and unconventional compositions on this delicate, soft material all demonstrate the artist's constant effort to break free from his shell and reinvent himself.

Particularly in his recent series of paintings, he shows a greater interest in the atmosphere of modern urban life, where neon lights, faces behind heavy makeup, or street figures appear and disappear in a variety of materials such as silk, oil paint, handmade paper, or acrylic…

Artist Luong Luu Bien commented that Bui Tien Tuan's paintings have a luxurious, alluring, and frivolous style. The stylized forms are simple yet sensual, combined with novel and unique compositions that bring balance to the artwork. Furthermore, what makes his silk paintings different is the way he combines traditional techniques with modern artistic thinking. He doesn't rigidly follow old styles, but always seeks new paths for silk painting. From the choice of framing and color coordination to the handling of light, everything shows meticulous planning and a keen sense of perception.

After so many years dedicated to painting, Bui Tien Tuan has established a solid foundation to continue experimenting with silk painting. For him, each painting is a journey, each layer of color a exploration of emotion. Recently, he has frequently organized talks and workshops for students and young art enthusiasts to introduce them to silk painting. He believes that only when young people understand and appreciate it can silk painting naturally and sustainably thrive.

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