Sotheby’s to organise first exhibition in Vietnam

"Nhac cong nhac co truyen” (musician) by Le Thi Luu (Source: thethaovanhoa.vn)

Hanoi (VNA) - “Timeless Souls: Beyond the Voyage – Hon Xua Ben La”, the firstexhibition by Sotheby’s in Vietnam, will take place at Park Hyatt Saigon in HoChi Minh City from July 11-14.

The exhibition features over 50works by Le Thi Luu (1911 – 1988), Le Pho (1907 – 2001), Mai Trung Thu (1906– 1980), and Vu Cao Dam (1908 – 2000), the four renowned early generationgraduates from the École des Beaux-Arts de l'Indochine (Indochina School ofFine Arts), who migrated to France in early 20th century.

With a mission tofoster cultural dialogue between artists and the local community, Sotheby’sModern Art specialists selected Ace Le, an independent researcher and writer onVietnamese art, to co-curate this public exhibition as a platform for all tolearn more about the local arts and culture through the eyes of some of theworld’s most talented artists in the region.

"Mau tu" by Le Pho (Source: thethaovanhoa.vn)

“This is a milestonefor the Vietnamese art community across all levels,” Ace comments. “I am honouredto be recognised by Sotheby’s, a global market leader who has such passion andrespect for our local arts and cultural heritage, and keen to add localinsights to such as a significant exhibition.”

These works of the exhibition illustratethe years of these artists living abroad, a narrative that reflects how themaestros channelled their longing for home with familiar subject mattersconstructed from intricate threads of memories of Vietnam – plants andlandscapes, families and rituals, culture and architecture, values andphilosophy while weaving new perspectives from their journey in France.

Nathan Drahi, Managing Director, Sotheby'sAsia, said: “We are proud to stage Sotheby’s very first exhibition in Vietnam,in the vibrant town of HCM City, where we hope to reconnect the public with itsrich cultural heritage through these exceptional and local works of art.”

Mai Trung Thu's Le Petit Pêcheur du Lac (Child Fishing by The Lake) (Source: thethaovanhoa.vn)

Jasmine Prasetio,Managing Director, Sotheby’s Southeast Asia, said: “Sotheby’s has beencultivating the Southeast Asian art market for over two decades and we areproud to have brought some of the most remarkable works by regional artistsonto the international platform. We recognise the importance of Vietnam as acultural wellspring and its rapidly growing collector base with a passion forcollecting and a thirst for knowledge. It is Sotheby’s privilege to share ourexpertise, information and experience, with new and established collectors, andit is our hope to contribute to this educational endeavour by holding thisnon-selling exhibition.”

Among the many rapidlygrowing economies in the region, there is a burgeoning demand and interest inVietnamese art globally. Having recently set a new artist record for Le Pho atthe Hong Kong Spring Sales, Sotheby’s now holds the top three auction pricesfor any Vietnamese artworks.

"Hai nang Kieu" by Vu Cao Dam (Source: thethaovanhoa.vn)

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is theworld’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access toand ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions andbuy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail.

Ace Le is a prominent figure in the localart community who facilitates discussions on the authentication, valuation andidentification of Vietnamese modern art. With an MA in Museum Studies andCuratorial Practices from Nanyang Technological University, Ace is the FoundingDirector of the Lan Tinh Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to theresearch, archival and exhibition of Vietnamese art. He is also Editor-in-Chiefat Art Republik Vietnam./.

VNA