An exhibition of paintings by iconic artist Pham Luc opens at the HCM City Fine Arts Museum.

Mot Thoi va Mai Mai (Once and Forever) will feature 56 paintings belonging to eight collectors of the Pham Luc Art Club which was set up in 2004 to support the 70-year-old artist's career.

Ngo Quang Tuan, an engineer from Ha Noi and head of the club, said works painted since 1966 had been chosen for the exhibition to provide an overview of Luc's career to HCM City enthusiasts.

Luc used strong lines and colours and simple and honest descriptions to depict the beauty of the country and its people, he said.

He used a range of materials like silk, oil on canvas, lacquer, and wood for his works, Tuan added.

The highlights of the exhibition would be Ha Noi Lut 76 (Floods in Ha Noi in 1976), Co Gai Ban Hoa (Flowers Selling Girl), and portraits of himself.

Another work to be displayed, Lop Hoc Duoi Ham (Class in an Underground Hideout) painted in 1966 and showing a teacher and her students in an underground hideout, was unusual for the material used – oil on sackcloth.

Dang Hung Long, a HCM City collector, said: "Luc created his own world and characters through his works that remind people of their childhood and motherland."

Viewers could find themselves in his works, he added.

Luc, who was born in Hue, was a major in the Viet Nam People's Army during the American War.

In 1977 he graduated from the Ha Noi Fine Arts College and then became a member of the Viet Nam Fine Arts Associations.

He won the Ministry of Public Security's Literature and Arts Prize in 1990 for his lacquer painting Nguoi Con Ben Tre (Ben Tre Province's Child).

He has held several solo and group exhibitions in Viet Nam as well as in countries like Russia, Japan, Germany, and the US.

His paintings are on display at the Viet Nam Fine Arts Museum and collected by many, including foreigners.

Mot Thoi va Mai Mai will run until November 13 at the museum at 97A Pho Duc Chinh, District 1.

VNS