Artist publishes photo book of his nudes

The artist spent five years working on the paintings and all stylized works, most of which are displayed for the first time.

Tuan said he does not draw inspiration from specific models but paints based on his imagination, meaning each work has its own aesthetic. It could be a girl posing in a nightclub or in her own room, or a model lying on water and drifting.

"I aim to draw beyond the normal laws of physics to portray the feminine beauty inside a woman. I choose silk because of its softness and flexibility, which suits my style."

Researcher Ha Vu Trong said Tuan's paintings are different from the depiction of women in silk paintings since the early 20th century in that the artist does not exploit conventional beauty in a static state or the meekness of Asian women.

"The models in the paintings often come with a breath of modernity amid the glitzy temptations of urban areas."

Tuan held an exhibition of silk paintings and introduced his picture books on May 23, 2021, in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo courtesy of Tuan.

Tuan, 50, was born in Hoi An town in the central Quang Nam Province. He graduated from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Fine Arts and went on to teach at the school.

Since 2007, he has held 10 solo exhibitions in the country and taken part in many group exhibitions in France, England, South Korea, and other places.

In 2010, he won a silver medal at the National Fine Arts Exhibition in Hanoi. He has earlier released a picture book called ‘Hoi Tho Nhe’ (Light Breath).

Some of his works are on display at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts and the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum.