Private collection of People’s Artist displayed in Hanoi

Opened to the public since November 17, the exhibition displays artworks made by lacquer, oil on canvas and sculpture. Some of the most compelling include Keo Cua Lua Xe (Chanting while sawing wood), Chum Kinh Nghiem (Jar of Experience), Man Nguyen (Satisfaction), Ai Bao Toi Khong Lam Duoc (Who told you I can not do it?).

Private collection of People’s Artist displayed in Hanoi

At a press conference held on November 5 in Hanoi, Bien said although he was busy with administrative work as Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, he has never neglected his passion for fine arts.

“I usually paint on my way to work, sometimes even in meetings. When an idea pops up in my head, I take a note and work on it on weekend,” he said.

Most of his sculptures depict young boys and girls. “Children are my subjects of interest. They reflect my wish to be as innocent, pure and spontaneous as they are. On the other side, through them I can satirise the vanity of life in the adult world today,” said Bien.

The artwork The Sinking Chair is a message on the origin of vanity and the nonsense of ambition and fame. Bien said the sculpture Unlock, with a load of locks arranged in the form of a buffalo flock, is intended to communicate, “If you unlock these objects, you will find freedom and inner peace like those animals”.

In art, Bien ponders the countryside and rural life. Most of his paintings focus on farmers and bucolic scenery. Musician Nguyen Trong Tao, a visitor to Bien’s art space, said Bien’s paintings are never without the image of farmers. “The sense for rural life is strong in Bien’s art. His art space helps him to find more creation and dedication,” Tao said.

Bien’s private art space is offers visitors a dose of fresh air. Its grand view spreads to Noi Bai National Airport. It is close to Thanh Chuong Viet Palace, with one of Vietnam’s top private art collections, the Thanh Giong Monument and many more cultural destinations in the area.

Bien was born to a family that has been making art for generations. Since the 90’s, when he was a new face in the domestic sculpture scene, he became known as the only sculptor whose work was selected for the final round of the Great King of Hung Dao monument design contest in the city of Nam Dinh.

He has also had many solo silk painting exhibitions held in the capital and other countries like Poland, Japan, France, Germany and mainland China, gaining much appreciation from art experts and admirers.

His exhibition is open free for public.