Painter Tran Nhat Thang, son of People’s Artist and director Tran Van Thuy of The Story of Kindness, has teamed up with architect Tung Le, a collector of ancient house structures, to create a one-of-a-kind exhibition titled T.h.ờ.i g.i.a.n.

The exhibition, opening on December 20, 2024, at Green Palm Gallery in Hanoi, marks Tran Nhat Thang’s 30th year as a painter. Initially planning his 17th solo exhibition in September, he postponed it after witnessing the suffering and loss caused by Typhoon Yagi.

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Painter Tran Nhat Thang and architect Tung Le with their collaborative works for T.h.ờ.i g.i.a.n.

While Tran Nhat Thang spent six months preparing for T.h.ờ.i g.i.a.n, architect Tung Le devoted a year to the project due to the sheer scale of work. Tung Le meticulously transformed ancient house pillars, some over 200 years old, into intricately carved frames that seamlessly complement Thang’s paintings as sculptural artworks.

“The exhibition comprises 80 abstract works reflecting my current state of mind — free, contemplative, and introspective. I paint with a sense of calm, embracing the losses and joys of life. Time, to me, is forgiving and offers a judgment-free refuge for all dreams, whether grand or small,” Tran Nhat Thang shared.

The foundation of Thang’s artistic series lies in Tung Le’s collection of relics salvaged from Vietnam’s traditional houses. These include structural beams, columns, and 200-year-old wooden household items, which the architect has reimagined into distinctive, sculpture-like frames that merge perfectly with the spirit of the paintings.

The wooden and bronze frames feature hand-carved ancient Vietnamese cloud motifs, symbolizing “timeless anchors.” Tung Le describes them as “solid supports where Tran Nhat Thang’s ethereal dreams can take flight.”

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Ancient wooden pillars transformed into sculptural frames for abstract paintings.

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Tran Nhat Thang creating his artwork on unique, handcrafted wooden frames.

  

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Hand-carved traditional motifs on ancient wood serve as “timeless anchors” for the paintings.

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T.h.ờ.i g.i.a.n: When architecture meets art in a harmonious celebration of creativity.

Explaining the concept of “time,” Tung Le stated, “Time doesn’t exist as past, present, or future; it is a constant flow. What Thang and I are doing now is simply something we’ve chosen for this moment. Thang’s art expresses dreams, and dreams need sturdy foundations to soar. As someone who builds homes, I wanted to create strong ‘anchors’ for his works. That’s how T.h.ờ.i g.i.a.n was born.”

The collaboration between the two artists reflects a perfect harmony of artistic vision. When asked about how they unified their creative voices, Tran Nhat Thang explained, “I understand Tung’s work well, and we agreed quickly. I wanted the frames to be something completely different — not just ordinary frames but sculptures that interact seamlessly with the paintings.”

Tung Le, who has long collected ancient house structures, added, “I’ve worked with Thang for years, and when he brought his paintings to me, I knew I had full freedom to design the frames. It wasn’t easy, though — the challenge lay in creating frames that wouldn’t overshadow the paintings but instead elevate them.”

The two artists are now racing to complete preparations for the exhibition and finalize pricing for each artwork. Despite having held 17 solo exhibitions, Tran Nhat Thang admitted to still feeling nervous when potential buyers inquire about his works. “There are impressive collectors, but there are also those who haggle over every penny,” he said, noting that while he used to sell primarily to international buyers, most of his current patrons are Vietnamese.

The T.h.ờ.i g.i.a.n exhibition promises to be a harmonious convergence of painting and sculpture, offering viewers a profound reflection on time, dreams, and enduring artistic legacies.

My Anh