Artist Hung Hoa Lu: 70 years old, still passionate about art

(GLO)- Dedicated and devoted to art, photographer Hung Hoa Lu did not surprise anyone when he just launched a solo painting exhibition. However, many people could not help but admire him when they learned that the exhibition took place when he had reached the age of 70.

Artist Hung Hoa Lu (2nd from left) and guests at the exhibition. Photo: Quoc Nguyen

On the morning of May 9, at the campus of Truc Lam Tay Nguyen Zen Monastery (Ia Der commune, Ia Grai district), an exhibition of paintings with the theme "Mountain Eyes" by photographer-painter Hung Hoa Lu took place. This is the first solo painting exhibition he has presented after nearly 40 years of quiet planning. Choosing to hold at Truc Lam Tay Nguyen Zen Monastery, artist Hung Hoa Lu's exhibition aims to celebrate the success of the 2025 United Nations Day of Vesak.

Having studied painting for a while, artist Hung Hoa Lu switched to working as a service photographer and then "crossed over" to art photography. He has been continuously honored at domestic and international photography competitions. It is the perspective of a painter that has helped him create unique angles in photography. However, somewhere, the nostalgia for the art of painting still smolders.

A few years ago, after witnessing AI tools modifying photos in unbelievable ways, he decided to return to the paintbrush. Beside the canvases and palettes, the artist hopes to find the most authentic things.

"Real down to every strand of hair" - he talked while pointing to the paintings that he spent months working on.

The exhibition displays 56 works with various materials: oil painting, acrylic, graphic painting, wood collage, fire pen painting... which he has focused on completing over the past 3 years. With a realistic style, his paintings are mainly inspired by the vast nature and the open-minded, sincere people of the Central Highlands. Looking at the paintings "Bien Ho in the season of full water", "Thac Phu Cuong", "Mien hanh phuc", "Day ve"... the audience will love the simple yet passionate land and sky of the Central Highlands even more.

The work "Mountain Mother" is displayed at the exhibition. Photo: PD

Along with that, the works “Mountain Mother”, “The Sorrow of the Forest”, “March Sound”, “Rebirth”… are the author’s expression of his deep attachment to the people of the Central Highlands. In most of the works, the eyes are the “object” that is specifically depicted, from the thoughtful eyes of the elderly to the sparkling, innocent eyes of children.

Artist Hung Hoa Lu shared: “The wandering footsteps through Bahnar and Jrai villages, through windy hillsides, primeval forests, rustic stilt houses and the quiet eyes of the people here... became an endless source of inspiration, a living material that formed the art exhibition Mountain Eyes”.

The artist added: “Mountain Eyes are not only paintings but also memories, emotions, and the breath of the Central Highlands - where the mountains still look at us with silent, tolerant eyes”. From the love and respect for the land and people of the Central Highlands, artist Hung Hoa Lu hopes that when coming to the exhibition, everyone can find a private corner to listen, feel, and love more the land imbued with identity.

Visitors enjoy the works of artist Hung Hoa Lu. Photo: PD

Viewers were impressed by two works expressing the desire of the Central Highlands people to welcome Uncle Ho to their villages. They are “Gongs to Welcome Uncle Ho” and “Making Clothes for Him” with extremely vivid and realistic strokes. The artist said: “Making Clothes for Him” will be donated to the Provincial Museum after the exhibition.

Ms. Tran Thi Lan Phuong - English teacher in Pleiku City - could not hide her admiration when coming to the exhibition. "Artist Hung Hoa Lu is truly passionate and dedicated to art. At this age, he is still working creatively like that, which is very admirable. I really like his paintings, they are diverse in materials, highlighting the theme of the land and people of the Central Highlands" - Ms. Phuong said.

Poet Dao An Duyen was also moved to express: “The exhibition is grand and professional. The quiet scenery of the Truc Lam Tay Nguyen Zen Monastery grounds makes viewers enter a private world of art. I admire the creative working attitude of photographer-painter Hung Hoa Lu, who does everything professionally and meticulously. At the age of 70, he still works enthusiastically, making the next generation like us wonder how we can be lazy and not continue to try?”

The exhibition “Mountain Eyes” by artist Hung Hoa Lu will run until May 13. Not only conveying emotions about beauty, this exhibition will certainly also strongly inspire the spirit of persistent artistic creativity to the audience.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/nghe-si-hung-hoa-lu-70-tuoi-van-danh-tron-dam-me-voi-nghe-thuat-post322690.html