Famed movie star, 76, shows paintings at new exhibition

Giang, one of the country’s first and leading movie actresses, has found recognition for her painting. Her exhibition Qua Mien Tay Bac (Travelling to Northwest) contains 30 paintings featuring the beauty of the Vietnamese people, colourful flowers, fruits and landscapes.

Featured works include Hai Hau — Nam Dinh (Hau River in Nam Dinh province), Deo Pha Din (Pha Din Mountain Pass), Ban Xin Chai – Sapa (Xin Chai Village in Sapa) and Thung Lung Do (Red Valley), which portray moutainous areas and local people. 

Her still life paintings of flowers show movement and are rendered in vivid colours, forms and textures. 

"I decided to spend my remaining time on painting because I found in art an unlimited love for life and people," said the 76-year-old Giang, in an interview with Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Saigon) newspaper. 

Born in Quang Ngai province, Giang studied at the Vietnam Cinematography School in 1959. She began her career when she was at school.

Her first film was Mot Ngay Mua Thu (The First Day of Fall), a production by Huy Van, one of the country’s most talented movie directors.

Known as a movie star in the 1970s, Giang played leading roles in quality movies such as Vi Tuyen 17 Ngay va Dem (Parallel 17 Days and Nights), Chi Tu Hau (Mrs Tu Hau) and Ngay Le Thanh (The Holy Day), which are recognised as canons of the Vietnam revolutionary movie.  

Playing a southern woman during the American War in both Vi Tuyen 17 Ngay va Dem by People’s Artist Hai Ninh and Chi Tu Hau by People’s Artist Pham Ky Nam, she won the best actress prize at the Moscow International Film Festival in 1963 and 1973. 

She performed in dozens of films directed by gurus such as Bach Diep and Tran Phuong.

Giang began her love for painting in 1999 when her close friends, female artist Le Thi Thoa, former deputy director of the Pasteur Institute, and renowned artists Mai Truc and Quang Luan, influenced her.  

The desire to paint led Giang to study at classes at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Fine Arts.

"I work like a kid with fresh love and enthusiasm for art,” said Giang, adding that through painting she can fly and dance as free as a bird.

Her first solo exhibition, He Ve (Summer Comes Back), opened at Lotus Gallery in 2006, and since then, she has organised dozens of solo and group exhibitions.

Her last solo showcase was Mua Xuan (Spring) at the HCM City Fine Arts Museum. The 10-day exhibition Qua Mien Tay Bac will open on January 18.