From the moment they enter the exhibition, viewers feel as if they are stepping into a cave rather than an art gallery. The paintings are not hung in a conventional straight line but surround the space, forming a closed circle. The lighting is lowered, focusing light on the surface of the artworks, highlighting the wrinkles, texture, and deep brown hues of the cowhide.

The space evokes a rustic and ancient feel. The scent of cowhide, the dim yellow lighting, and the rough surfaces remind viewers of old cliffs bearing the marks of time. The artworks follow one another in a continuous visual flow, drawing viewers from one piece to the next instead of lingering for a long time in front of a particular piece.

The exhibition's unique aspect lies in its materials. Historically, animal skins have appeared in the form of parchment for writing and drawing, but using cowhide directly as a base for nearly 70 large-scale artworks in a solo exhibition remains rare in Vietnam.

Artist Trinh Thang shared: "I started this series of paintings after being given cowhides as gifts and consider it a 'catalyst' for creating a series of works aimed at inner peace and transformation."

Dr. Trinh Thang (front row, center seat) at the "Promise for Next Season" exhibition. Photo: Provided by the artist.

The exhibition space "A Promise for Next Season" is arranged into three parts. Part 1, "Fundamental Teachings," is considered the first step in every journey of life. Part 2, "Motherly Nature," features works showcasing the precious qualities of a mother. In Part 3, "Female Nature," the artworks shift in focus, depicting revered saints, Buddhas, and the virtues of "Great Compassion and Great Mercy."

Against a backdrop of dark cowhide, images imbued with spiritual significance appear and then fade away in overlapping layers of color. Viewers may catch glimpses of Buddha, sacred animals, ritual objects, or faint halos. Some images are only visible through a single glance, a posture, or a few incomplete outlines. Other symbols are only clearly visible from a distance, but upon closer inspection, they seem to dissolve into the surface of the leather.

This is what makes viewing a painting a process of discovery and deciphering. Viewers must move, change their perspective and distance to "see" the artwork in multiple dimensions. The visual perception constantly shifts, sometimes clear, sometimes blurry, creating a state quite similar to searching for clues or a memory floating in the mind.

The artworks at the exhibition were created using cowhide leather. Photo: Provided by the artist.

The exhibition space was also filled with the slow, steady sound of drums. The sound wasn't too loud, creating a sustained rhythm throughout the viewing experience. In the tranquil space bathed in dim light, the drumming sounded like the beating of a heart in the viewer's chest, as if demanding that the viewer experience it with their entire being.

Ms. Nguyen Hoang Phuong Anh (born in 1988, in Giang Vo Ward, Hanoi ) shared: “What impressed me most was how the artist combined materials, light, and sound to create a unified whole. This is a highly experimental exhibition, yet still accessible enough for viewers to find their own associations and emotions when looking at the artworks.”

Another interesting aspect is the way the works are created. Artist Trinh Thang sketches and completes the overall design, while his students participate in the initial painting sessions as part of a collective art practice. While animal skin is a very difficult material to paint on and correct—a small mistake can ruin everything—most of the works are completed in a single day, with almost no corrections or rework, preserving the immediate emotions of the creative process.

Chairman of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, Luong Xuan Doan, commented: “Artist Trinh Thang always pursues different experiments in painting. This series of cowhide paintings is like ‘a percussion instrument with a rhythmic, incantatory melody,’ creating strong visual and emotional impacts.”

Through the exhibition "A Promise for Next Season," painting seems to transcend its confines within the canvas. Materials, light, sound, and arrangement blend together to create an immersive experience. Upon leaving the exhibition, what lingers in the viewer's mind is not necessarily a specific image, but rather a feeling of dark skin textures, flickering and elusive forms, and the slow drumming that still resonates somewhere in the soul.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/van-hoc-nghe-thuat/nhung-net-ve-an-hien-tren-tam-da-bo-1042535