VietNamNet Bridge – A new exhibit in Ha Noi is showcasing art from a surprising source, as a group of diplomats show off their artistic abilities.

Chapeaus: Artwork entitled Cones, by Michel Flesch from the French Embassy.

“The show was initiated from my idea of celebrating diplomats. When diplomats are creators, we can hope for the best in the future,” said Nguyen Nga, director of Maison des Arts which is hosting the show.

The show is displaying more than 50 paintings from 11 artists, including foreign diplomats and their wives, working in the embassies of the US, France, Italy, Spain, Greece, India, South Korea, Chile, Morocco, Mexico and one Vietnamese. Their paintings are mostly inspired by their love of Viet Nam and the landscapes from their own countries.

VN love affair

Needle in a haystack: Organising chaos, by Platon Alexis Hadjimichalis, ambassador of Greece.

His artwork entitled Cones offers images of conical hats, the symbol of Vietnamese women.

“I want to escape from the narrow cadre of life to bring dimension, perspective, and depth to my paintings,” said Flesch, who has been painting for 15 years.

Malsawmi Muana, wife of the Indian Ambassador to Viet Nam, said she finds endless inspiration from images of hardworking Vietnamese women.

“I’ve been to most regions of Viet Nam, including remote mountainous regions such as Sa Pa and Yen Bai, and all the time I see women working hard in rice fields,” said Muana who has lived in Ha Noi for two years.

Hoang Hai, the only Vietnamese diplomat with artwork at the show, said he finds endless inspiration in Ha Noi’s autumn and its streets. He painted a touching picture Cao Hen (Raking Mussels) featuring an old woman with her rake. With no mussels in sight, only the word Patience (in Chinese script) appears from her efforts.

“I was so touched by the image of this 80-year-old woman I met in Cua Lo. As I spoke with her, I got to know that she had no one to help her in life,” said Hai. “In my painting I inscribed the word Nhan (Patience) because I was so moved by her patience.”

Hubert Olie, director of the French cultural centre l’Espace, visited the show and commented on Hai’s work.

“Hai’s paintings show the talent of an artist with a ripe soul, as his paintings are the result of years of observing and thinking,” he noted. “One can be attracted by the sensibility, with silence like a secret that is revealed from his work.”

Hai taught himself to paint over 50 years ago, during his missions abroad and in Europe. He has worked as a diplomat for the last 30 years.

“Through the paintings, I want to share my feelings about life and reality, from that all of us can work towards a more beautiful life,” Hai said.

His paintings were also displayed in Geneva, Switzerland and at l’Espace in Ha Noi. He is now retired after working in the US, Thailand and Switzerland.

Other contributors to the show include Ambassador of Spain Soledad Fuentes and Ambassador of Greece Platon Alexis Hadjimichalis.

“We often see that brilliant diplomats are great with cultures. Culture has always played a very important role in diplomacy, particularly in Viet Nam. I’ve always been impressed by the friendly and elegant characteristics of diplomats and wanted to help others get to know their art talents,” said Nga.

The exhibit runs until November 5 at Maison des Arts, located at 31A Van Mieu Street, Ha Noi.

(Source: Viet Nam News)