Lookatvietnam – Inspired by the festive season and folk culture, painter and critic Phan Cam Thuong has opened a new solo exhibition 12 Con Giap (12 animals of the lunar calendar) at Viet Art Centre.

Zodiac: Buffalo is painted on do (poonah) paper by Phan Cam Thuong.

The exhibition is being held as a milestone for the artist, as this is his first exhibition of works using natural pigments as the main medium.

The colours are the most striking thing about Thuong’s work, says one Australian visitor to the show.

“I loved the painting of the pig because of the powerful, but tender way he’s used the colours. I was born in the year of the pig.”

Thuong’s idea for the exhibition was born when he published his book Dieu Khac Viet Nam (Ancient Sculpture of Viet Nam), and drew a picture of a tiger as a present for the editor.

“When the director of Viet Art Centre Dao Vu, saw it, he encouraged me to paint a collection of 12 animals of the oriental zodiac,” the artist says.

The oriental zodiac is a 12-year cycle, each year is named after a different animal. Each animal has a different personality and different characteristics. The animal is believed to be the main factor in each person’s life that gives them their traits, success and happiness for their lifetime.

Most of the paintings were created since his last exhibition in 1998, the result of many trips to pagodas to research folk art.

The painter also consulted traditional paintings at Dong Ho Village in the northern province of Bac Ninh and Sinh Village in Hue city City before painting.

“I realised that everything is arranged and installed in groups or in pairs as a symbol of happiness and prosperity,” Thuong says.

“So my animals are painted in groups, they never stand alone.”

The painter added his own details, like clouds, waves, fire and trees in the background to make the pictures more lively.

“Through the exhibition, I want to share with visitors my experiences and experiments,” Thuong says.

“Folk culture is very important in Vietnamese traditional culture, it should be recognised and preserved.”

The exhibition will run until February 9 at Viet Art Centre, 42 Yet Kieu Street, Ha Noi.

(Source: Viet Nam News)