A legacy of three generations and an art philosophy focused on humanity.

Art enthusiasts were recently abuzz with the news that two lacquer paintings by artist Chu Nhat Quang had found owners at impressive prices. The painting "Linh" sold for 1 billion VND; the painting "Tinh Huong" fetched 100,000 USD (equivalent to over 2.5 billion VND).

Sharing about his two "brainchildren," Chu Nhat Quang said that "Linh" is a work that recreates peaceful memories in the sacred space of the temple, with images of people rowing boats at night and the Vietnamese dragon appearing to protect. This work took him more than 8 months of diligent work.

Artist Luong Xuan Doan, President of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, assesses the contributions of artist Chu Nhat Quang (on the left) to the development of Vietnamese fine arts.

Meanwhile, "Tranquil Fragrance" was a journey spanning over two years. The painting depicts a Zen master standing on elegant lotus leaf steps under the mystical moonlight. "Lacquer painting cannot be rushed; each layer of lacquer, each polishing, requires time to 'mature.' The base preparation alone took me three months," the artist shared.

Although only 30 years old, Chu Nhat Quang has been involved with lacquerware for over 25 years. Born into a family with a three-generation artistic tradition, his love for this "proud and demanding" material has been ingrained in him since childhood.

The greatest influence on his career came from his family. These included his grandfather, People's Artist Chu Manh Chan, who instilled perseverance; his father, Meritorious Artist Chu Luong, who ignited his love for visual arts; and his brother-in-law, painter Nguyen Thanh Tung, who inspired patriotism and boundless creative thinking.

"Tranquil Fragrance" depicts the image of a Zen master standing on elegant lotus leaf steps under the mystical moonlight.

Chu Nhat Quang believes: "I have no secrets. I am simply honest with my experiences and feelings." The artist's creative philosophy is encapsulated in: Beauty - meticulousness, goodness - heritage. He doesn't chase abstract concepts but chooses to express themes of heritage, images of President Ho Chi Minh and the nation using modern visual language, so that anyone, whether Vietnamese or international friends, can appreciate them.

Contributing to the community

When asked about his feelings regarding the large sales figures, Chu Nhat Quang appeared calm and humble. For him, the financial value, though significant, was "nothing compared to the effort and support that collectors have given me over the years." He sees selling paintings at high prices as an opportunity to reinvest in art and, more importantly, to contribute to society.

A bright and humane aspect of Chu Nhat Quang's story is his plan for using the money from selling his paintings. Besides investing in paint, gold, silver, and supplies for future art projects, he dedicates a large portion of his profits to charitable activities: opening art classes for autistic children, supporting children in mountainous regions, and especially investing in an AI project for early detection of autism in the community.

"Linh" is a work that recreates peaceful memories in the sacred space of the temple, with images of people rowing boats at night and the Vietnamese dragon appearing as a protective spirit.

“I paint not to sell, but to repay my debt to the country, to express my gratitude to Uncle Ho and the nation,” Chu Nhat Quang confided. The clearest proof is his giant lacquer painting “Uncle Ho Reading the Declaration of Independence,” which achieved a Guinness World Record for the largest monolithic lacquer painting (2.4m x 7.2m), weighing over 3 tons and gilded with 50 gold bars, celebrating National Day on September 2nd – a priceless work created with the dedication of the artists over seven years.

The aspiration to take Vietnamese lacquerware to a wider audience.

The $100,000 sale for the artwork, which Chu Nhat Quang hopes will usher in a new era, will eliminate the unwarranted "modest" valuation of Vietnamese lacquer paintings that has existed for so long.

Currently, the artist is focusing his efforts on the project "Portraits of President Ho Chi Minh Through the Ages" and the exhibition "Spring of Independence" to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the implementation of President Ho Chi Minh's Last Will and Testament.

The artworks from the project "Portraits of President Ho Chi Minh Through the Ages" are on display at the "Vong Thu" art space.

For the artist, each artwork and exhibition aims to convey a message to fellow artists and the public: "Be proud, cherish, and continuously create based on our national culture. When we are confident and insightful enough, the world will listen."

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/van-hoc-nghe-thuat/hoa-si-chu-nhat-quang-khat-vong-dua-son-mai-viet-vuon-xa-1016279