Artist paints nude works to raise funds for poor

HCM CITY — Hua Thanh Binh, a painter and lecturer at the HCM City Culture and Art College, has put up a solo exhibition comprising 20 paintings of an imaginary woman, mostly in the nude, to raise money for the poor.

The oil on canvas works, which has opened at the HCM City Public Security Newspaper's exhibition hall, features a new technique by the artist. Unlike in the past, when he used dark colours for his angular works, Binh has used bright, soft lines this time.

He painted them in 2008 and 2009 without using a model: "I just imagined and drew. My wife often asks me about the model in the paintings."

Tran Tu Van, deputy editor in chief of the paper, said the exhibition aims to revive the tradition of holding regular charity exhibitions to help the poor.

The newspaper used to hold the events until a few years ago.

Binh has held several solo and combined exhibitions since graduating from the Gia Dinh Fine Arts College in 1974. But this is his first for charity and he hopes all the pictures will be sold.

The exhibition runs until February 22nd at 110 Nguyen Du Street, District 1.

Ha Anh to attend Asian Fashion Awards

HA NOI — Model Vu Nguyen Ha Anh will represent Viet Nam at the Asian Fashion Awards, to be held in Hangzhou, China.

This is a new event set up by fashion experts from 13 Asian countries to honour important contributions to the Asian fashion industry. The awards ceremony will be held next Monday.

Anh came second in the Miss Talent award at the Miss Earth 2006 competition in the Philippines.

Thai pop star Tata Young to perform in Viet Nam

HCM CITY — Thai pop star Tata Young will visit Viet Nam for the first time and perform her hits, Ready for Love and My Bloody Valentine in HCM City on February 26.

Tata recorded her debut song with GMM Grammy at the age of 14 and became the most beloved singer in Thailand. She was honoured at the MTV Asia and the 95.5 Virgin Hitz Awards.

The show has been organised by Hi-Fi Group Australia in co-operation with XoneFM.

Ha Noi animal circus to make HCM City debut

HCM CITY — The Ha Noi-based Le Hong Loc Animal Circus Group will perform in HCM City for the first time ever this Tet (Lunar New Year).

Meritorious artist Le Hong Loc, the circus' manager, said there would be some novel items like monkeys walking on stilts and a crocodile biting a man's head besides performances by clowns and magicians.

There will be two shows daily from February 14 to 21 at the September 23 Park in District 1. Tickets will cost VND50,000 for children and VND80,000 for adults.

The circus, established in 2004, has monkeys, bears, birds, goats, pythons, crocodiles, elephants, wolves, and cats.

Its bear show won a bronze medal at the International Circus Festival held in Wuhan, China, in 2008. — VNS