Painter Van Duong Thanh – Ambassador of Vietnamese Culture

She recalled: “At the college, I was taught basically under the curriculum of France . I learnt to paint every genre of paintings with an expressive, semi-abstract style with bright colours, quite different from the current training programme that focuses deeply o­n each kind of painting, such as oil, lacquer or water colour, etc. For that reason, the Swedish partner invited me to lecture painting for their lecturers and students”. After two years of learning Swedish language, she felt confident and taught the art of Oriental painting, even Western painting. She has become the first Asian female painter teaching fine arts in the Swedish language at Fine Arts Universities. She has taught many generations of students in Sweden and a group of fans of her paintings who established a fine arts association called Thanh-Gruppen.

With more than 1,000 paintings, featuring Vietnamese people and the beauty of nature, she has held about 60 small and large exhibitions, leaving long-lasting impressions o­n the art lovers. Many of her paintings have been displayed at big museums worldwide, such as the National Fine Arts Museum in Singapore, Town Hall of Sweden, etc.

Although the working and living condition in Sweden is very favourable, Van Duong Thanh never forgets her homeland. It is a constant source of inspiration, either from memory or direct observation, and its presence is utterly apparent in her work.

Late painter Trong Kiem o­nce said: “Whatever Van Duong Thanh painted, viewers can recognise the Vietnamese spirit, soul and the beauty of nature because she uses tranquil oils and lacquers to explore every corner of the country. Seeing Van Duong Thanh’s paintings, o­ne can see familiar images and colours in the daily life, such as women going to transplant rice, weaving non (conical hat), bathing under the moonlight, children going fishing, villagers in the midland, moss-covered roofs, banana leaves nearby rows of flowers, old gates, etc. All open a mysterious world. Even though she uses pure or contrasting colours, her paintings still reveal the harmony thanks to the light and skilful brush strokes. In her recent returns to Vietnam, she always wishes to bequeath her talents and experiences to the Vietnamese young generation. In 2007, thanks to her contributions to the art and efforts to strengthen the relationship between Vietnam and Sweden, Van Duong Thanh was awarded the title “Glorious Vietnam 2006” at Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature – First National University).

She has been renowned both domestically and internationally as a messenger of peace with a friendly smile, gentle beauty and free soul. Through her works, she has introduced the country and people of Vietnam to international friends.