Human topography central to new Hanoi exhibit

The artworks, created with materials like charcoal, ink, pastels, crayons, watercolors on paper sized from A4 to A0, and 10 sets of ceramic sculptures, are on display at the "Strokes and Shapes: Nguyen Duong Dinh" exhibition in Hanoi from April 18 to 22.

These 80 works were created from 2017 to 2021, using models from a wide range of different nationalities, allowing for a diversity of bodily shapes, skin color, and postures.

Artwork at the exhibition. Photo courtesy of organizers.

A majority of the works were selected from Dinh's collection of drawings in the Hanoi Live Drawing Society - an open space for live sketching lovers.

His ceramic sculptures represent the artist’s thoughts and feelings about humanity, and global society during the Covid-19 pandemic in the last 12 months.

Dinh has a fast-paced sketching technique that can accurately record shape, space and body features from various angles, creating emotionally-charged works.

According to artist Dang Tien, Dinh's sketches are different from that of his counterparts since they are artworks that capture daily life.

Artist Le Thiet Cuong agreed, saying Dinh's sketches are truly exceptional.

Born in 1957 in Hanoi, Vietnam, Nguyen Duong Dinh (Inh Guyen, INH) obtained a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design at Hanoi University of Industrial Fine Arts (1982), and a master’s degree in Visual Arts (2005) at Vietnam University of Fine Arts.

His painting "Systematic Composition" is preserved in Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum.

"Strokes and Shapes: Nguyen Duong Dinh" exhibition is held at the Hanoi Center of Fine Arts and Photography Exhibition and Authentication, 29 Hang Bai Street, Hanoi.