Illustration entitled Người Xưa measures just 10cm by 11cm.

Some of the 150 paintings are miniature, with the largest measuring just 20cm by 30cm, while the smallest is a mere 10cm by 11cm. The exhibition includes illustrations Tuan made over the years for newspapers and magazines.

"Small and large paintings are different," said Tuan. "But they are the same in idea and composition. Not all artists make large paintings. It doesn't take much time to paint small paintings."

With illustrations and small paintings, it seems that this is a field where artists feel creative and improvisational.

Tuan began to illustrate in 2013 when he was introduced by his veteran colleagues such as Thanh Chuong and Dang Xuan Hoa.

"The leading newspapers and magazines want to commission established artists," said Tuan.

"It is great for me to co-ordinate with Văn Nghệ Quân Đội (Military Culture and Arts) magazine and Việt Nam Writers' Association-owned Báo Văn Nghệ (Literature and Arts) Newspaper."
The exhibition includes the first illustration for a short story Hương Thôn Dã (Countryside Scent). It measures 12cm by 19cm.

Người Xưa (Ancient People) is one of the smallest illustrations. Tuấn doesn't remember the name of the story, but it impressed him.

The exhibition displays some of 150 small paintings. — VNS Photos Nguyen Binh

“I think that an illustration shouldn’t repeat the story but highlight the literary meaning of the work to inspire and encourage people," said the artist.

"I want more people to be interested in small paintings, because many artists draw small paintings, but they are not confident enough to introduce them to the public.

"I hope my small painting exhibition will encourage artists to display their small works and collectors to pay attention to this kind of painting."

Tuan currently works as a lecturer at the Vietnam University of Fine Arts' Printmaking Department.

He has awarded Prize NOKIA; Silver Medal at National Fine Arts and Hanoi Fine Arts Festival.

He held a solo silk painting exhibition in 2012; woodcut prints in 2009 and silk painting in Washington in 2007.

The exhibition runs till March 1 at Hanoi Studio, 13 Trang Tien Street. — VNS

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