Hanoi is currently hosting the "Huong Lua Viet" exhibition, a vibrant showcase of silk paintings by artists Ta Hung Viet and Do Thu Huong. Running from 21-28/12 at 16 Ngo Quyen, the exhibition celebrates the elegant beauty of Vietnamese women, primarily depicted in traditional attire.

Artist Ta Hung Viet depicts the beauty of a young woman in an ao dai, with another woman combing her hair. His work is featured at the Huong Lua Viet exhibition, held from 21-28/12 at 16 Ngo Quyen, Hanoi.

Ta Hung Viet, a 50-year-old artist and graduate of the University of Industrial Fine Arts, contributes 20 works to the exhibition. Known for his participation in numerous exhibitions organized by the UNESCO Hanoi Fine Arts Center, Viet's paintings portray women with soft lines, long flowing hair, and delicate faces.

Women in Ta Hung Viet's paintings are portrayed with soft lines, long flowing hair, and delicate faces.

A recurring motif in Viet's art is the comb, which he chose as a symbol of connection. According to the artist, the comb represents a keepsake that links family affection and romantic love, carrying the warmth of hands, the scent of hair, and stories of gratitude and fidelity preserved through generations. He frequently depicts intimate moments like a grandmother combing her grandchild's hair or a mother tending to her child's, thereby honoring the value of kinship.

The artist chose the comb as a recurring motif, symbolizing a keepsake connecting family affection and romantic love. According to the artist, the comb carries the warmth of hands, the scent of hair, and stories of gratitude and fidelity preserved through generations.

In addition to 20 works by Ta Hung Viet, the exhibition space features 20 silk paintings by Do Thu Huong, created by the artist over the past three years. She paints women in ao dai of various colors, embodying elegance.

Alongside Viet's collection, the exhibition features 20 silk paintings by Do Thu Huong, created by the artist over the past three years. Huong's works showcase women in ao dai of various colors, embodying a profound sense of elegance.

Do Thu Huong composes her paintings as a dialogue between foreground and background. In her works, the female figure occupies the central foreground, with a dark palette in the background suggesting the past.

Huong's compositions often create a dialogue between the foreground and background. Her female figures are centrally positioned in the foreground, while a dark palette in the background subtly suggests the past. For example, one painting features a young woman in an ao ngu than (five-panel dress) with a Ly - Tran era door behind her, illustrating "the subtle presence of cultural weight".

A young woman wears an ao ngu than (five-panel dress), with a Ly - Tran era door behind her, indicating "the subtle presence of cultural weight".

Do Thu Huong believes her silk paintings serve not only as an artistic medium but also as a space for viewers to observe and contemplate slowly. Through this exhibition, both artists aspire to honor the enduring value of silk painting within contemporary art, offering the public a gentle and meaningful artistic experience.

Phuong Linh