The 18 most popular artists have been revealed.

With the exhibition "Works by Leading Contemporary Artists in the Art Market," 18 of the most popular artists have been revealed.

Creating an art market

Mr. Ma The Anh, Deputy Director in charge of the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibitions (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), said that the exhibition "Works of leading contemporary artists in the art market" is expected to be organized by the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibitions in August.

Eighteen artists will participate in the exhibition, including 11 from Hanoi and 7 from Ho Chi Minh City. The artists from Hanoi are: Thanh Chuong, Le Thiet Cuong, Pham An Hai, Tran Luu Hau, Dang Xuan Hoa, Bui Huu Hung, Pham Luan, Dao Hai Phong, Dinh Quan, Le Thanh Son, and Vu Dinh Tuan. The artists from Ho Chi Minh City are: Nguyen Thanh Binh, Nguyen Trung, Ho Huu Thu, Tran Van Thao, Nguyen Tan Cuong, Hua Thanh Binh, and Le Kinh Tai.

Artist Le Thiet Cuong said he accepted the invitation to participate in this exhibition because he wanted to support the art market. “My principle is that without an art market, there is no art. We clearly see that art during the Doi Moi (Renovation) period was the earliest success, marking its expansion into the international market. Art succeeded before film and literature. The only problem is that many people are afraid of being labeled as market-driven artists,” he said.

Artist Le Kinh Tai next to one of his works (photo: provided by the subject).

Artist Vi Kien Thanh, Director of the Cinema Department (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), and curator of the exhibition, shared the selection criteria: “We chose artists whose works are of high artistic quality and who have had relatively frequent sales transactions. The market here is primarily international. However, it can be understood that the artist is purchased by many foreign and domestic museums, and by domestic and international collectors, and that they are frequently bought.” According to Mr. Thanh, high sales figures need to be considered over many years. “The level of popularity must be proven over time. Artists who have only sold paintings in the last 3-4 years are not included in this list; we must use a benchmark of 20 years. In short, the artist must have had many transactions over a long period and their works must be of high quality and have a distinctive style,” Mr. Thanh said.

Artist Le Thiet Cuong pursues a minimalist style of painting.

An opportunity to admire and be honored.

This is an opportunity to honor those who have shaped the Vietnamese art market. They are specific individuals, with specific values, who have created the Vietnamese art market both domestically and internationally.

Artist Vi Kiến Thành (Director of the Department of Cinematography)

Bringing together these 18 artists is a delightful opportunity. Many of them primarily sell their work in the international market or have numerous paintings in private collections. There's even a dedicated art club for artist Pham Luan. Artist Le Kinh Tai confided: "I've never participated in any state-sponsored exhibitions, neither amateur nor national art exhibitions. But this time, with so many close artist friends participating, I decided to join." At the invitation of the organizers, each artist will exhibit three works.

Silk paintings by artist Vu Dinh Tuan

The artwork "Together in Peace" by artist Dao Hai Phong

Artist Dao Hai Phong, whose paintings have been forged many times, brought some of his new works to the exhibition. However, some of them are already owned by collectors. "I sold two of them to collectors, and they lent them back for display," Phong said.

Mr. Vi Kien Thanh added: "There was an artist invited to this event who couldn't participate, Mr. Do Quang Em. He is elderly and almost lives in seclusion, but he is an outstanding figure in the market." Regarding the list of 18 people, 11 of whom are from the North, Mr. Thanh explained: "Northern art during the period of opening up had a higher consumption rate of artworks than the South."

In summary, Mr. Thanh said: “This is an opportunity to honor those who have created the Vietnamese art market. They are specific individuals, with specific values, who have created the Vietnamese art market both domestically and internationally. If we want to encourage the development of the market, we must think about those who create the market, meaning the artists and those who have a unique style of creation, as well as the effectiveness of their participation in the market.”

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lo-dien-18-hoa-si-an-khach-nhat-185963129.htm