Hanoi-based acclaimed artist Pham Luc will hold an exhibition from March 25 to April 30 on board the five-star Emperor Cruises Halong ship.

Artist Pham Luc

He will present 75 paintings with the theme of "The Pulse of Spring" in wartime and peace. This exhibition off the coast of Halong City in the northern province of Quang Ninh will mark his 75th birthday and almost 70 years as an artist.

The event will be organized by Pham Ha, a paintings enthusiast and a collector of Pham Luc’s works. On the occasion Ha will launch a book about Luc titled "The Picasso of Vietnam, Paintings and Life."

Luc’s paintings often depict everyday activities and look simple yet rich in historical and cultural values.

Luc is a master of multiple genres including Impressionism, Post Impressionism, Cubism, Realism and Surrealism. 

He uses a lot of mediums such as paper, porcelain, oil on rice sacks, lacquer, silk and woodcarving. 

The media, dealers and critics share a view that he is one of the biggest influencers in Vietnam's contemporary art scene. Some of his artworks are globally famous.

In this exhibition, the spring in Pham Luc's works is the connection of two centuries filled with vivid memories. 

Especially, a valuable sketch about war on paper, part of the collection of Pham Ha, was created in 1965 when Pham Luc was just 20 years old.  

It portrays his first memories of war and it is of immense cultural value.

Several of the exhibits detail the daily life of fishermen in Quang Ninh. 

Fish markets, fishing villages and wharfs are always crowded with buyers and sellers white sand, sunshine and brown sails of boats create spectacular scenes. 

In particular, many of his works about women demonstrate their youthfulness, beauty and nobility.

Spring is portrayed in three regions -- north, center and south. 

Viewers may be captivated by the painting "Tet doc lap At Mao 1975" (Spring of Independence in 1975). The country was reunified in 1975.

Pham Ha, who is also a co-founder of Emperor Cruises, said in a statement that each artwork of Pham Luc is unique and full of love, hope and meaning. 

"His art helps viewers understand the culture of Vietnam through visual language and artistic expression, so you can truly appreciate the artistic value of his works."

Soldier and painter Pham Luc was born in 1943 in the central city of Hue. 

He now lives in Hanoi. 

He is known for oil, lacquer, gouache and watercolor works with different themes. 

He has organized nearly 30 exhibitions at home and abroad. 

Many of his works have been purchased by international collectors.

SGT