The exhibition in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City presents a blend of Vietnamese paintings and decorative Asian antiquities. The artworks that are arranged to create a harmonious blend of classic and contemporary pieces, telling stories of the spaces and places in which art and culture intersect.
The curators took six months to select and arrange 101 paintings, from the French Indochina period to contemporary works from today.
In addition, the exhibition features 13 rare Chinese cultural artifacts, 34 Japanese antiques, and 6 items from historical Vietnamese cultures.
In addition to antique items from the Ming Dynasty in China (14th to 17th centuries), the event also showcases large vases from the reign of King Qianlong (1736 - 1795), and modern Arita ceramic artifacts, including Imari and Satsuma, from Japan.
Arita ceramics are a type of Japanese porcelain produced in and around the town of Arita in Saga Prefecture, Japan. Arita is renowned for its rich tradition of ceramic production, dating back to the early 17th century. Two notable styles within Arita ceramics are Imari and Satsuma.
Imari style features vibrant designs with red, blue, and gold colors, while Satsuma style showcases creamy glazes and intricate hand-painted scenes of Japanese life and landscapes.
Modern work by contemporary Vietnamese artists including Le Vuong, Dinh Quan and Bui Minh Dung display diverse blends of materials.
Among the highlights is an impressive 8-panel coromandel lacquer work from the Qing Dynasty in China.
The exhibition's accompanying publication expounds on the cultural influences exerted on the art displayed.
