Lunar New Year Art Exhibition 2024

Is there any Vietnamese who is not proud of their roots as the Dragon and Fairy with the legend of Father Lac Long Quan and Mother Au Co? Is there any Vietnamese who does not remember the story of Thang Long, the flying dragon / the capital of more than a thousand years of civilization? It is strange that among the twelve zodiac animals corresponding to the twelve symbolic animals, the dragon is the only one that does not exist in real life. However, the dragon appears the most in the history of Vietnamese art from the 10th century to the end of the 19th century.

Fairy Dragon – Student Le Thiet Cuong
Powder on cloth mounted with do paper (36x55cm)

Over 1000 years through different periods (from Ly, Tran, Ho, Le So, Mac, Le Trung Hung, Le Mat, Nguyen), the image of the dragon has changed a lot, from shape, composition, and materials.

The main features are easy to see as follows: The Ly dragon is smooth, delicate, and softly curved. The Tran dragon looks similar to the Ly dragon on the surface, but its spirit is different, rougher and stronger. The early Le dragon focuses on details, concreteness, and less stylized decoration. The Mac dragon completely abandons the sinuous curves of the Ly Tran, although it has less curves, it is still soft, creating a rustic and simple feeling. The Le Trung Hung and Le Mat dragons have two breakthroughs: the middle part of the body has an additional arched beat to form a saddle shape, and the second is the shape of fire clouds on the tail, mane, or a combination of the dragon and the fire clouds together. The Nguyen dragon is the beauty of sophistication, meticulousness, and care.

Zen Dragon – Student Vuong Linh
Lacquer (40x90cm)

Dragon 1 – Artist Vu Huu Nhung
Ceramic (31x42cm)

Every year, the G39 group of artists in Hanoi often paints the zodiac to welcome the new year. This year's exhibition is very special because the image of the dragon is an image that holds a special position in the culture and beliefs of the Vietnamese people. The dragon is the leading sacred animal in the four sacred animals (Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle, Phoenix). In ancient times, with the legend of the Dragon's Children and the Fairy's Grandchildren, the dragon was the pride of the lineage and origin of the Vietnamese people. The special image of the dragon is still preserved on many sculptures, stone carvings, wooden reliefs... extremely unique in Vietnamese Buddhist art, in Dong Ho folk paintings.

Artist Binh Nhi, one of the long-time members of the G39 group, said that this year she participated in 8 works with the theme of dragon dance and flowers, with an abstract brushstroke and cheerful colors. “ The dragon painting I drew is based on the meaning of the Dong Ho folk painting of Dragon and Mouse Dance. The painting reflects the joyful activity of the dragon dance through the personification of the whole procession of mice, happily dancing, blowing trumpets, beating drums, beating gongs... waving flags and drums, opening the dragon dance to welcome spring and Tet. The painting's liberal brushstroke and cheerful colors express the desire for peace, praying for favorable weather, a peaceful and prosperous life. Some of my paintings depict flowers, the upcoming Tet holiday, all over the countryside markets, alleys and streets are filled with flowers welcoming spring. With an abstract brushstroke, the fresh colors and shapes welcome the new year of Giap Thin with the wish that the new year will be prosperous, happy and lucky for every home." - Artist Binh Nhi explained about her works.

Dragon Dance – Student Binh Nhi
Acrylic on Lokta paper (52x77cm)

Tet Flowers 4 – Binh Nhi High School
Acrylic on Lokta paper (52x77cm)

Through an interview about whether the price of the work is too high for customers and the aesthetics of the exhibition visitors, artist Binh Nhi shared: “The annual exhibitions are mostly Vietnamese guests. Personally, I find that of course there are many Vietnamese collectors and most of them have aesthetics and extensive knowledge of painting. Moreover, they are very tactful, modest and very friendly and open with the artists. When necessary, they share frankly, because collectors see paintings as looking at the painter, looking at themselves. They buy paintings not only for the value of the painting but also because it contains the life of the artist and the life of society. Regarding the price of paintings, I personally affirm that Vietnamese people are willing to own the works they love at high prices .

The “Dragon” exhibition welcomes the Lunar New Year this year with 95 works of diverse materials such as: Lacquer, mixed media on Canson paper, acrylic on canvas, oil painting, torn paper, acrylic on lokta paper, acrylic on fiberglass, silk, mixed media on canvas, lacquer on fabric, gouache on cloth with dó paper, iron, oil painting on canvas, acrylic on canvas, ceramic, gouache on newspaper, etc. Hopefully, the outstanding works of the G39 group of artists carefully selected in the “Dragon” exhibition will bring wonderful visual experiences as well as satisfy the need to own outstanding works of collectors and art customers.

Exhibition opening: 5pm, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

At: Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Ba Dinh, Hanoi.

Exhibition on display from January 24 to January 30, 2024