The road filled with yellow leaves in the painting Da Lat Villa 1 (2013), featured at artist Ta Hai’s exhibition "A Play with Leaves", held from 15-19/4 at the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum. He displayed over 80 works, most of which were created in the past ten years.

Artist Ta Hai uses dried leaves and petals to create Ho Guom in Autumn (2013).

Ta Hai has been creating leaf paintings since 1965, a passion he has pursued for over 60 years. Daily, the artist seeks materials along the roads he travels. When he finds beautiful, colorful fallen leaves, he collects them to use in his artworks. Once, during a trip to Russia, he filled two suitcases with beautiful oak leaves. Back home, he does not sun-dry, dye, or bleach them, preferring to preserve them naturally.

Mustard Flower Season by the River (2010).

According to Ta Hai, the most challenging yet interesting part of creating leaf paintings is finding colors. While a painter can easily prepare a desired color palette, he must collect and select materials from various places. The artist expresses regret at not yet finding certain hues, such as cobalt blue and purple.

Duong Lam Ancient Village (2016). Due to his reliance on natural colors, Ta Hai's works primarily feature red, white, yellow, black, and brown.

Bountiful Harvest (2018) transports viewers to the peaceful countryside. In the painting, the artist uses dried corn husks to create the golden glow of the sky.

Artist Ta Hai created Bombax Tree in Front of the Temple in 2012. He uses a specialized adhesive that prevents termites and mold, helping to preserve the artistic quality of his works.

Countryside (2010), depicting a serene rural scene, is a favorite subject for Ta Hai. He states that having been born and raised in the city, he always longed to see thatched-roof houses, haystacks, and earth-walled cottages.

Market Day in the Highlands (2012).

According to Ta Hai, what has kept him dedicated to this medium for over 60 years is his deep love for nature and his appreciation for what it provides. He sees unique vitality in fallen leaves and petals that many discard, wishing to recreate them in his paintings.

Yellow hues cover a street corner in the painting Da Lat (2021).

In addition to the works displayed at the exhibition, he has over 500 pieces at home. The artist frames his paintings with glass and avoids placing them on lower floors to prevent dampness and mold.

Flower Stream (2016).

Alongside landscapes of Vietnam and other countries, the artist also displays portraits that depict human beauty.

Associate Professor, Doctor of Arts Nguyen Duc Bao, remarked that Ta Hai’s leaf paintings represent "an elegant and distinctive style, adding a new emotional voice and enriching contemporary aesthetic life," and "a profound rural sensibility, the perspective of those who do not forget their cultural heritage."

Artist Ta Hai next to his work. He previously held two solo exhibitions, in 1998 and 2008 respectively. Reflecting on his "journey," he concluded with these verses: "Why waste leaves, if not to paint? If anyone asks me, I just smile. Idly picking up each fallen leaf. For me, painting is a game."

Phuong Linh