60/70's South

Follow the partition of the nation in 1954, the art scene in the South comparatively enjoyed a greater freedom of creation and expression than one from the North. The artists of the South were more exposed to the current trends of the twenty-century Western arts. They had opportunities to learn and experiment with modern styles such as cubism and abstraction and many of them later became quite successful at these forms.

Ta Ty (b. 1920): One of the first abstract painters of Viet Nam since the early 50s. Trained at the Indochina School of Fine Arts in the same class with Nguyen Sang and Bui Xuan Phai. Also an accomplished writer, he worked in the South Viet Nam Armed Forces.

Portrait of Artists - 1967

Van Den (1918-1988): Self-taught oil painter, later had art training in France. Was instructor at Gia Dinh School of Fine Arts in the 60s and 70s. Van Den's paintings show strong influence of impressionism with generous use of dark and warm colors. His popular subjects are the scenery and people of the countryside.

Buffalo Stable - No Date, Oil (Source G)
Three Men Drinking - Early 60s, Oil (Source G)

Thai Tuan (b. 1918): Self-taught oil painter. One of the earliest established and respected artists of the South. Thai Tuan's painting style is simple with sparse use of colors and details.

Thai Tuan's Recent Work - 80/90s, Oil (http://kicon.com/art/ThaiTuan/index.html)

Vietnamese Young Artist Association
(Hoi Hoa Si Tre Viet Nam)

At the height of the Viet Nam War in the late 60's, a group of young artists in Saigon formed a movement and opened a new avenue of the contemporary painting scene. The group consisted of Dinh Cuong, Do Quang Em, Hieu De, Ho Huu Thu, Nguyen Khai, Nguyen Lam, Nguyen Phuoc, Nguyen Trung, Trinh Cung and Trang Thi Thin who were newly graduates from the Gia Dinh and Hue National College of Fine Arts. The young artists departed from the romanticism and realism of their elder colleagues and experimented with more abstract style and avant-garde themes and subjects. The above members of the Vietnamese Young Artist Association are still active in their creative art to the present days, both at home and abroad. They continue to be a source of inspiration and influence to the newer generation of Vietnamese painters of the 90s.

Trinh Cung (b. 1939): most noted for his abstract and surrealistic works.

The First Day of Peace - Early 90's, Oil (Source D)
Summer Dream - 1993, Oil (Source C)
Birthday of the River - 1994 (Source A)

Nguyen Trung (b. 1940) one of today's most prolific artists of abstract art.

Girl and Horse - 1967, Oil (Source B)
Nocturne II - Early 90's, Oil (Source D)
Fisherman Family (Source C)

Do Quang Em's (b. 1942) painting style is realistic with photographic-like use of light and shadow. His still subjects are inward-looking and melancholic in the tradition and style of the Orients.

The Bride - 1993, Oil (Source C)
Still Life II - Early 90's, Oil (Source D)
Thanh Nhan sitting on a chair - 1991 (Source C)
Portrait of my lady - 1997 (Source H)

Ho Huu Thu (b. 1940)

Mandoline - Early 90's, Laquer (Source D)
Love Story - Early 90's, Laquer (Source D)

Nguyen Phuoc (b. 1943)

Three Noble Ladies - Early 90's, Oil (Source B)
Soi toc bac - Early 90's, Oil (Source B)