Vichit Nongnual depicts artist Cy Twombly immersed in discordant lines and palettes. Cy Twombly (1928-2011) is considered one of the world's most valuable artists, with many paintings fetching over ten million USD, including a series of large-format works featuring scribbled lines or paint splatters.

The portrait of artist Bui Xuan Phai is one of 32 large-format works by Vichit Nongnual, displayed at the "Nhung tang ky uc - Layers of Memory" exhibition. The event runs from 16-24/5 at the Vietnam National Fine Arts Exhibition House in Hanoi, organized by the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibitions in collaboration with Dong A Gallery.

The painting was created this year, reflecting Vichit Nongnual's initial perspective on Bui Xuan Phai as he began to learn about the artist. He depicted the renowned painter's portrait with clearly defined facial details.

Tran Dai Thang, Director of Dong A Books and a co-organizer of the exhibition, suggested and provided materials about artist Bui Xuan Phai for Vichit Nongnual to create the two paintings. In this work, Vichit used a technique of painting and printing nine superimposed layers, inviting contemplation. The painting serves as an extended dialogue between Vichit and the celebrated artist Bui Xuan Phai, drawing viewers into layers of memory, both visible and hidden.

According to artist Tran Dai Thang, he admired the painting after viewing the sixth layer. However, Vichit continued to add three more layers once he had fully understood Bui Xuan Phai.

The renowned artist Bui Xuan Phai (1920-1988) studied at the Indochina College of Fine Arts and produced many works depicting old streets, "cheo" (traditional Vietnamese opera), portraits, and still life. He is famous for his "Phai Street" series, which portrays Hanoi's old quarter with subdued colors and simple, emotional brushstrokes.

Alongside Bui Xuan Phai, Vichit's exhibition space features portraits of figures from world art history. He does not create original versions but expresses them through his unique visual language.

The image shows Pablo Picasso through Vichit Nongnual's brushwork. Picasso (1881-1973) was a Spanish painter and sculptor, among the most celebrated artists of the 20th century. Some of his creations are among the world's most valuable artworks, including "Nude on a black armchair", "Les Noces de Pierrette", and "Garçon a la pipe".

The portrait of acclaimed artist Gustav Klimt features empty spaces where Vichit applied a gold-leafing technique on canvas.

Gustav Klimt (1862-1918) was a prominent artist in Austrian art. He belonged to the Symbolist movement and was a leading figure in Art Nouveau. His works often feature clean lines, clear compositions, and complex color palettes. Klimt's primary subject was women, exploring their allure whether subtly clothed or nude.

Klimt has many works valued at hundreds of millions of USD. Late last year, his portrait of Elisabeth Lederer set a record as the most expensive modern artwork of all time, selling for 236,4 million USD.

Mark Rothko's face emerges from two color blocks, a reflection of his painting style.

Mark Rothko (1903-1970) is famous for his color field art style. The renowned artist's works consist of uneven, rectangular color washes layered on top of each other. The value of Rothko's paintings soared for many years after his suicide, with many pieces fetching tens of millions of USD, which many considered "insane".

Surreal elements are visible in the portrait of acclaimed artist Rene Magritte.

Rene Magritte (1898-1967) is known for his witty, thought-provoking images, depicting ordinary objects in unusual contexts. He experimented with various styles, from Impressionism to Cubism and Futurism, ultimately embracing Surrealism.

Artist Vichit Nongnual stands beside his two paintings of Bui Xuan Phai.

He is 55 years old and graduated with a degree in ceramic art from Silpakorn University. The artist is highly regarded by international experts and collectors for his distinctive layering technique. Starting with realistic portraits, Vichit applies multiple layers of colors and patterns, creating ambiguous images that evoke a sense of connection between past and present. "Nhung tang ky uc - Layers of Memory" is his second solo exhibition in Vietnam, following "Asian Faces" in 2019.

On this occasion, the bilingual Vietnamese-English book "Nhung tang ky uc - Layers of Memory" was released in a limited edition of 365 copies. It was compiled by artist Tran Dai Thang during his collaboration with Vichit Nongnual for the exhibition. The publication chronicles Vichit's life, creative journey, and his views on art.

According to Tran Dai Thang, while organizing the exhibition with Vichit, he respected all of the artist's ideas and did not interfere with or criticize the paintings. Thang regards Vichit Nongnual as a mentor, impressed by how the artist is self-taught in exploring various aspects of life.

The book's afterword states: "He studied design to understand the application of fine arts. He studied sculpture to view objects through multidimensional forms. He studied ceramics to perceive the unexpected transformations of materials and colors. He learned cooking and baking to grasp the balance between art and life. He studied embroidery and sewing to understand rhythm and technique, even accounting to comprehend operation and order. Even planting trees became a lesson in observation and patience. Reading books opened new horizons, nurturing and enriching artistic concepts..."

Phuong Linh