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Two or three: Que Huong (Homeland), a lacquer triptych by Vietnamese-German artist Khai Doan, is displayed at HCM City's Fine Arts Museum. |
The Dipolar exhibit displays 30 lacquer works featuring images of cities and family photos, and motifs of Dong Ho traditional paintings, including the Dam Cuoi Chuot (Rats' Wedding), Hung Dua (Picking Coconut).
As part of the theme, his works examine the concepts of near and far, young and old, familiar and strange, and abstract and concrete.
However, the contrary elements exist peacefully in his works as in the triptych paintings titled Que Huong (Motherland).
The work has the elements of water, tree roots and earth, representing Viet Nam where he was born, according to Khai. The colours of Germany's flag, black, red and yellow, are also prominent.
Khai says he wonders whether people can have more than one homeland.
In Dipolar, Khai uses traditional Vietnamese lacquer techniques, with gold, silver and mother-of-pearl to highlight depth through multiple layers of paint and sanding.
During the exhibition, the artist and his team will offer a demonstration on lacquerware techniques used in his works.
Khai, a graduate of fine arts and design in Germany, is currently living and working in HCM City.
He has studied the use of lacquer as an art medium for more than seven years.
His first exhibition in Viet Nam titled Joint Venture was held in Ha Noi and HCM City in 2005.
The HCM City exhibition, sponsored by the German Consulate General in the city, remains open at the Fine Arts Museum at 97A Pho Duc Chinh St in District 1 until December 15. — VNS
