She is not only an artist who tells stories through form, but also a symbol of resilience and a deep love for art.
A deep connection with the art of sculpture.
The female sculptor Luu Thanh Lan was born on March 9, 1971, in Quat Thuong village (Trung Vuong commune, Viet Tri city, Phu Tho province), a region in the midland area rich in green palm forests, tea hills, rice paddies, and cornfields. The youngest of nine siblings, Luu Thanh Lan grew up in an environment naturally connected to the beauty of paintings and sculptures, through her father's work. Her father dedicated his life to beautifying ancient architectural structures and traditional houses in the villages of the Northern Delta.
The impressions of shapes, lines, and colors she gained while working with her father nurtured her dream, leading Luu Thanh Lan to determinedly pass the entrance exam to the Vietnam Fine Arts University. Studying under renowned Vietnamese sculptors such as Vuong Hoc Bao, Tran Tia, Dao Chau Hai, Luu Danh Thanh, Nguyen Xuan Thanh, and teacher Nguyen Thi Hong, Luu Thanh Lan was like a seed sown in fertile ground. The flower of art within her blossomed and quickly grew strong.
Undeterred by difficulties and hardships, diligently seeking knowledge and learning, and with the boundless energy and enthusiasm of youth, this petite girl toiled with iron, steel, wood, stone, and heavy blocks of earth... She worked tirelessly, kneading clay and bending iron to make reinforcements, just like a man, even more persistent and resilient.
At the end of her student life, Luu Thanh Lan received the prestigious Silver Medal at the 1995 National Fine Arts Exhibition for her work "Tree of Life". This was also her final graduation project, the result of tireless effort and dedication during her five years of study at the Vietnam Fine Arts University.
Emotions guide the artwork.
In art, finding one's own unique style is incredibly difficult; however, creativity is an inherent flow that only true artists can grasp, and Luu Thanh Lan is one of them.
“In the vast body of human knowledge, finding one's own path is not easy. I look to the world , search in books, to learn and absorb from the works and authors of world masters such as Michelangelo, Henry Moore, Constantin Brancusi, Auguste Rodin... Looking at art in Vietnam, I learn about the art of village temple sculpture, Cham sculpture, and see the works of sculptors Le Cong Thanh, Ta Quang Bao, Diem Phung Thi, Phan Gia Huong... From there, I found my path, starting from emotion and letting emotion guide each work,” shared female sculptor Luu Thanh Lan.
The image of the Vietnamese woman with her hourglass figure has always captivated and occupied the mind of Luu Thanh Lan. She yearns to express this beauty not only in everyday life but also in romantic love, maternal love, and happy family moments. According to her, finding a suitable form of language in her creative process is a difficult task. The language of form not only determines the expressive style but must also be compatible with the content of the work, and requires careful selection of materials. Wood, stone, ceramics, bronze... each material offers her interesting experiences.
Driven by intense inspirations of love, motherhood, family, childhood, and happiness, Luu Thanh Lan seems to freely express herself through the language of sculpture, creating a love song celebrating the beauty of nature. Works such as "Changing Seasons," "Monsoon Wind," "Love Story," "Mother's Spring," "Warm Home," "Mother's Love," "Happiness," "Little Steps into Life," "Washing Hair by the Stream," "Childhood," "You Are Spring," "Fishing Village," etc., truly touch the emotions of the viewer.
As the artist shared: "I like copper because of its durability and soft sheen, which is very suitable for creations on the theme of young women." When she encountered copper, it flowed into her works like a fish in water, vibrant in every form and graceful in every detail. Works such as "New Moon," "Young Woman with a Cat," "Spring Melody," "Young Woman with a Bird," "Tide," "Stream of Hair," "Welcoming the Wind," "Spring's Silhouette,"... were created one after another. With a robust form, a solid and stable base, a light and soft upper body, interwoven horizontal and vertical forms, and the characters' faces turned upwards to express hope...
Most of her sculptures depicting women are nude figures, but they are not crude; instead, they are carefully crafted and refined to create a very subtle beauty. The theme of motherhood, embodying the strength to protect the family and boundless love for her children, is a recurring theme in most of her works. Works such as "Home," "Mother and Child," "Motherly Love," "Mother and Daughter," "Mother's Spring," "Lullaby on the Back," "Lullaby," "Sweetness of Mother's Milk," "Midday Dream," and "Welcoming Spring"... stem from the abundant inspiration that sculptor Luu Thanh Lan has for this theme.
Forever passionate about the art of playing.
Sculpture is a demanding and rigorous art form. While it's difficult for male artists, it's ten times harder for female artists. However, for Luu Thanh Lan, the more challenging it is, the more determined she becomes. “The difficulties are multifaceted, so there have been times when I felt discouraged. Many great ideas have emerged, but when I tried to execute them, they didn't meet my expectations, so I had to discard them. At those times, I felt lost, even having to pause to find a new direction. I always have to overcome such challenges to create works that are always fresh and unique. The constant transformation during the exploration and creation process is always captivating and occupies all my time and thoughts. And that's how I overcame the difficulties and discouragement,” confided female sculptor Luu Thanh Lan.
The qualities and instincts of women are sometimes gentle and sweet, sometimes overflowing with fiery passion. The fullness and roundness in the forms are stylized by the female sculptor to highlight the radiant femininity of women, contrasting with the jagged, abstract, and edgy shapes. In Luu Thanh Lan's sculptures, viewers can see the beauty of her modern thinking and sculptural style, yet subtly imbued with the inherent femininity and gentleness of women. This can be seen in works such as: "Remembering the Sea," "Fairytale Land," "The Story of Three People," "Spring Flower Branch," "People in the City," "Lullaby," "Happy Day," "Moon of Love," "Letting Go," "Peaceful Day," "Tide," etc. Each work tells a story or offers her perspective on the human condition she has encountered, on joy, sorrow, and love, conveyed through form and artistic language using materials such as bronze, wood, stone, ceramics, and earthenware.
In 2022, Luu Thanh Lan held her first solo exhibition titled "Spring Dream" at the 16 Ngo Quyen Exhibition House, Hanoi , showcasing over 100 representative works. In 2024, she released the book "Luu Thanh Lan Sculpture," a compilation of 200 artworks, which also serves as a self-narrative about her relentless creative journey. On May 10, 2025, Luu Thanh Lan will continue to introduce herself to art lovers with her second solo exhibition titled "Flourishing Space" at the Peony & Iris art space, 197+199 Ton Duc Thang Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi. The exhibition will display nearly 100 works and sets of works, mostly her latest creations from 2023 to the present.
With over 30 years of dedication to art, in a demanding field with few female artists pursuing it, Luu Thanh Lan has firmly established her position thanks to her talent, perseverance, and passion. She has found her own path, overcoming constraints, limitations, and prejudices to freely create and play within the forms of sculpture. Luu Thanh Lan is not only an artist who tells stories through form but also a symbol of resilience and profound love for art. She has, and continues to, enjoy this artistic game, and that game has never ended.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/nu-nghe-si-dieu-khac-luu-thanh-lan-ton-vinh-cai-dep-bang-hinh-khoi-701972.html
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