French artist Jean-Marc Potlet returns to Vietnam for the 10th time to continue... painting

Meeting 66-year-old French artist Jean-Marc Potlet - who always has a deep affection for Vietnam - at his 3rd solo painting exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City called Vietnam in my eyes (December 3-7, 2022) at 216 Pasteur, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, he could not help but express his joy and emotion.

Artist Jean-marc Potlet and two books about Hanoi and Saigon used his paintings for covers, book illustrations and postcard printing.

LUCY NGUYEN

It is known that his two previous solo exhibitions were held at Idecaf and Lam studio in 2019, also in Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, he has participated in two international exhibitions with many other artists, held in Hanoi. And this exhibition Vietnam in my eyes displayed 38 of his watercolor works on the themes of Vietnamese people and landscapes. It is known that about 10 works were purchased by art lovers right at the exhibition.

Jean-Marc Potlet shared that since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, all his plans to visit Vietnam were disrupted. He had to stay in France, painting about Vietnam through his memories and through pictures sent by friends in Vietnam. As soon as Vietnam controlled the pandemic and opened up travel, he immediately wanted to visit Vietnam to... satisfy his nostalgia.

"This is my 10th time in Vietnam, from 2015 until now, everything has changed a lot, you can clearly feel it on the streets. After the Covid-19 pandemic, many cafes and restaurants in Saigon have disappeared. Instead, there are new shops. Maybe because of the difficulties, they had to close. However, the Vietnamese people here have not changed at all. They still have the same love. I feel very peaceful and secure", said artist Jean-Marc Poltlet.

Artist Jean-marc Potlet loves participating in drawing workshops for Vietnamese children.

NVCC

He also said that although his return to Vietnam was quite short, less than 10 days, he took the opportunity to participate in many exciting activities such as solo exhibitions, teaching drawing to students, participating in workshops...

Artist Jean-marc Potlet also participates in many activities with schools in Ho Chi Minh City.

NVCC

"Thanks to these activities, I really feel like I have been given a new source of energy and enthusiasm. During my time in France, I was lazy, painted less, and didn't want to participate in exhibitions. But this time, when I return home, I will definitely be inspired to continue composing about Vietnam, especially about the topic of Vietnamese people. I want to paint about the way they work, such as the scene of them selling goods, the scene of cooking on the street... everything is so vivid that I can hardly find like when I was in France. With Vietnam, I feel like I can paint about real life, vibrant and warm with humanity."

Let's take a look at the paintings of artist Jean-Marc Potlet in his recent solo exhibition: