It’s an exhibition, not an ad
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Read all about it!: A painting from the exhibition "This Is Not an Advertisement" at Van Viet Gallery. — VNS Photo |
HA NOI — Nearly 20 paintings are on display here featuring changes in Vietnamese society by Australian artist Ian McIntosh.
The exhibition entitled, This Is not an Advertisement, opened yesterday at Van Viet Gallery, attracting both foreign and Vietnamese art lovers.
McIntosh first came to Viet Nam in 1992 and has since returned regularly to travel, work, and live for extended periods, usually in Ha Noi or HCM City. He has enjoyed his time in Viet Nam and has fond memories.
He has worked across a variety of art mediums including photography, drawing and mixed media paintings, and has had a number of exhibitions both in Viet Nam and Australia.
In This Is not an Advertisement, McIntosh uses Vietnamese mixed media sources to reflect on changes in Vietnamese society observed during his long exposure to Viet Nam.
The paintings were created by collaging together material from newspapers, advertising, magazines, and popular culture, over which have been applied layers of Vietnamese language and text.
His inspiration comes from pictures and photos in Vietnamese newspapers which he usually takes home every day.
“The exhibition captures the daily changes we see around us here in Ha Noi. We are pleased that Ian’s exhibition will be the first of many cultural events organised by the embassy this year as we get into a celebratory mood with the people of the capital”, deputy Australian Ambassador Vanessa Wood said.
In the exhibition, new messages will be given by the works, the artist says. A painting, Not Just More Than a Pretty Face, features a beautiful model, but she is also beautiful inside her, McIntosh explains.
“In acknowledging the proper place for traditional art, I am also a strong believer in the need for artists to explore different mediums as a way of addressing the changing modern world,” he said.
Hanoians last saw McIntosh’s work during his 2005 exhibition of rubbings on do (poonah) paper.
Recently, he has focused on using mixed media materials and pencil on different surfaces, and designs over objects which he has found in Viet Nam.
He has worked at temples and churches, in peoples’ homes, at shops and in the streets, and has created, among other things, memorial stones, wall decorations, door grilles and street drainage covers.
The exhibition, sponsored by the Australian Embassy in Ha Noi, runs until next Saturday. It is the first of a series of cultural events the Australian Embassy is supporting during 2010, to contribute to Ha Noi’s 1,000th anniversary celebrations. — VNS