Lotus paintings on display at Hanoi heritage villa

An exhibition of lotus paintings has opened at a French heritage villa in downtown Hanoi. It's one of the first art events to be held at the old villa after its restoration.

The collection, entitled Pink Lotus, includes 18 paintings by famous contemporary artists such as Binh Nhi, Pham An Hai, Hai Kien, and Dao Lien Huong.

The owner of the collection, art collector Thuy Anh, hosted an art talk in Hanoi on the beauty of the lotus in Vietnamese culture, with the participation of many artists and cultural researchers.

Some of the paintings in the exhibition. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times

The lotus has been part of Vietnamese culture for thousands of years, according to cultural expert Tran Trong Duong. The lotus appeared in poetry, architecture, and fine arts. From the carved plaques of the Ly-Tran dynasties (10th-13th centuries) to the carved lotus-shaped foundation on village communal houses, patterns on fabrics and fine arts all have lotus motifs. There are hundreds of lotus motifs in Vietnamese culture.

"The lotus symbol is associated with the purest, unblemished, unsullied by anything. The characteristics of the lotus are described as absolute purity. The lotus grows out of mud but never smells of mud. So in Buddhism and Confucianism, the lotus became a symbol of unadulterated purity," he said.

Writer and painter Tran Thi Truong, who has painted numerous lotuses, said that while many countries in Southeast Asia have lotuses, Vietnam is unique in having lotuses everywhere.

Writer/painter Tran Thi Truong at the art talk. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times

"Along the length of the country, the lotus is beautiful everywhere, every species is beautiful, both the flowers and the leaves, even when the lotus withers, it is still charming. Like many Vietnamese, I have loved the lotus since I was born, there was a lotus in my mother's lullaby, and when I grew up, I loved the lotus with my personal intuition," said writer Truong.

Collector Thuy Anh confided that she was born and raised in Hanoi, so she loves lotus from all regions of the country. She has collected 18 lotus paintings out of her love for the lotus.

"The lotus is a symbol of a good heart and a bright mind. Not only the color but also the fragrance of this flower is very pure and leads people to human aspirations. That's why I want to spread its meaning," says Anh.

Before the exhibition in Hanoi, Anh presented the collection in Paris, France. Lotus paintings by contemporary Vietnamese artists, juxtaposed with ao dai (traditional long robes) and conical hats, created an unforgettable highlight, celebrating the beauty of Vietnam's land and people.

Art collector Thuy Anh (standing) shows lotus paintings in Paris. Photo courtesy of Thuy Anh

According to painter Luong Xuan Doan, Chairman of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, painting exhibitions are often organized by artists, groups of artists, or an art agency; rarely does a collector initiate the organization of exhibitions or art talks. It can therefore be said that collector Anh's activities are rare and need to be encouraged and disseminated.

Participants commented that the discussions had set a good precedent, helping collectors, intellectuals, and artists to understand each other better, from which many ideas can emerge, bringing positive values to life.

Previously, collector Thuy Anh organized many meaningful lectures and exhibitions, such as Streets and Flowers in 2021 to dispel the gloomy atmosphere of the Covid-19 pandemic; and Beauty from the Heart in 2023. Many works were auctioned to raise funds for charity.

The lotus painting exhibition is on display until June 30 at the heritage villa at 49 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hanoi.