Thao’s work explores the preservation and conservation of cultural values, especially those of Hanoi's Old Quarter, through clay models of, for example, ancient houses, village gates and bridges, set in layers of amber and oil paint. He then cracked the blocks to resemble fossils.
Long Bien bridge "fossilised" by Vuong Van Thao
|
When asked about this latest exhibition, Vuong Van Thao said, “A fossil is dead, but being fossilised can mean eternal life”. He added, “When standing in front of my work, I hope the onlooker will reflect on the historical value of the city and each will choose a way to preserve and conserve that cultural values.”
Thao, who has received various awards, such as the ‘Hanoi Fine Arts Association Award’, ‘Vietnam Sweden Cultural Fund Award’ and the ‘Bui Xuan Phai-Love for Hanoi Award’. His sculptural works are displayed permanently at ‘Asian Art Spotlight’ in China and a number of pieces from ‘Living Fossils’ are exhibited at the Modern Fine Arts Collection of SAM Singapore Art Museum and at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum.
Visitors to ‘Fossilised Hanoi’, have an opportunity to contemplate fossilised replicas of nearly 20 old houses in Hanoi's Old Quarter, Thap Rua (Turtle Tower) and Long Bien bridge or village gates.
“The exhibition offers a unique journey through the past, the present and the future of Hanoi”, according to Sinh, a visitor.
Italian Vice Ambassador to Vietnam Natalia Sanginiti said that considering the works, the artist Vuong Van Thao deserves to be cultural ambassador of Hanoi.
The exhibition, part of the ‘Italian Year in Vietnam’ programme, runs until March 22.
Thao, who has received various awards, such as the ‘Hanoi Fine Arts Association Award’, ‘Vietnam Sweden Cultural Fund Award’ and the ‘Bui Xuan Phai-Love for Hanoi Award’. His sculptural works are displayed permanently at ‘Asian Art Spotlight’ in China and a number of pieces from ‘Living Fossils’ are exhibited at the Modern Fine Arts Collection of SAM Singapore Art Museum and at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum.
Visitors to ‘Fossilised Hanoi’, have an opportunity to contemplate fossilised replicas of nearly 20 old houses in Hanoi's Old Quarter, Thap Rua (Turtle Tower) and Long Bien bridge or village gates.
“The exhibition offers a unique journey through the past, the present and the future of Hanoi”, according to Sinh, a visitor.
Italian Vice Ambassador to Vietnam Natalia Sanginiti said that considering the works, the artist Vuong Van Thao deserves to be cultural ambassador of Hanoi.
The exhibition, part of the ‘Italian Year in Vietnam’ programme, runs until March 22.
