Layers of sediment from time
From now until May 31st, at CHILLALA - House of Art (75 Xuan Thuy Street, An Khanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), the exhibition "Keepers of Time - Ancient Times" showcases works by 12 veteran artists: Ta Kim Dung, Le Trieu Dien, Hoang Minh Hang, Hong Linh, Uyen Huy, Quach Phong, Do Thi To Phuong, Ca Le Thang, Nguyen Thi Tam, Phung Chi Thu, Huynh Thi Kim Tien, and Doan Quoc. According to Dr. Nguyen Hong Ngoc (Ho Chi Minh City University of Fine Arts), the exhibition's art advisor, what is noteworthy about this exhibition is not the gathering of many elderly artists, but the way time is incorporated into their visual language. The works in the exhibition show how a person has absorbed the world through many years of living, working, observing, and experiencing changes.
In the realm of silk paintings, while artist Hoang Minh Hang makes her mark with soft, vibrant layers of color and minimized forms to create visual stillness, Huynh Thi Kim Tien presents a world where colors blend with emotion. Do Thi To Phuong chooses to portray the pure beauty of everyday life, captivating viewers with the depth of memory and time.
In the field of sculpture and material creation, Phung Chi Thu explores the compression of form and the narrative quality of materials; Doan Quoc attracts attention with his unique aluminum forging technique, transforming hard, cold metal into surfaces rich in rhythm and light.
Many viewers spend a considerable amount of time in front of each artwork, observing each layer of color, brushstroke, or surface structure. Ms. Nguyen Phan Yen Lan (38 years old, office worker, residing in Thu Duc ward) shared: "Some paintings look very simple, but the more you look at them, the deeper the emotional depth becomes. I think what touches the viewer is the life experience that the artists convey through their works." Meanwhile, Tran Gia Huy (a second-year student at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Fine Arts) said: "I like how the artists restrain their emotions and handle the materials. Some works don't need much explanation but still leave a lasting impression."
A way to preserve memories
The exhibition's title, "Ancient and Rare," alludes to the proverb "Life at seventy is rare in ancient times," but age is only one aspect; what is emphasized is the enduring artistic journey of those who have dedicated almost their entire lives to creating and preserving cultural values.
Artist Uyên Huy (Huỳnh Văn Mười), former Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Association, shared that, upon reaching a mature age, an artist no longer creates simply with their "physical eye," but with their "spiritual eye," stemming from their perception, intuition, and the depth of their life experiences. Their works, as artistic practices, continue to evolve and engage in dialogue with the present through the accumulated depth of their experiences over the years.
Amidst the fast-paced rhythm of contemporary life, "The Keeper of Time - Ancient and Rare" creates a necessary pause for the public to reflect on the value of enduring artistic endeavor. Instead of chasing trends or market forces, the artists choose to let their works speak for themselves through the maturity of their craft and the serenity of their experiences.
The exhibition, therefore, beyond the emotional experience of viewing, also prompts reflection on the role of art as a form of preserving memory and cultural depth. Standing before these works, viewers observe the colors, forms, and sense the quiet accumulation of time behind each creation.
Through various practices ranging from realism and expressionism to abstraction and sculpture, the exhibition offers a glimpse into the art scene of Southern Vietnam after 1975, where artists both created art and participated in training, professional organization, and contributed to maintaining urban art life.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/nhung-nguoi-giu-thoi-gian-cua-my-thuat-viet-post852496.html
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