THE WORK ‘LEARNING TO DANCE’ OF ARTIST SƠN TRÚC

Artist Sơn Trúc was born in 1944. She is the ninth child of patriotic businessman Nguyễn Sơn Hà (a famous bourgeois who contributed his efforts and wealth to the people’s resistance war against the French). She graduated from Hà Nội Fine Arts University in 1974 with an excellent degree, and is an artist with achievements, especially with lacquer material.

Họa sĩ Sơn Trúc (born in 1944). Photo taken in 2013.

Portrait of Mr Nguyễn Sơn Hà, a patriotic businessman. 1972. Oil. 30×42 cm

In particular, in 1993, she had a solo exhibition in Paris. This is one of the first exhibitions of Vietnamese artists in France after the war. Later, she also had two solo exhibitions in France (both in 1998). On the occasion of the exhibition, Sudestasie Magazine, Paris, 1998 wrote: “Sơn Trúc’s painting is determined and modern, but still draws inspiration from Vietnamese traditional and folk art.” Or the French writer (Nice 1998) commented: “From the splendid lacquer paintings, a great breath exudes.”

The image of children is a popular theme in the works of artists in general and artist Sơn Trúc in particular. In the 1970s, she created many works about children playing like tug of war or practicing arts like dancing and singing. In 1973, she created the painting Kindergarten, a very large oil painting of 200 × 420 cm. In addition, there are a series of paintings with the same theme and style also created during that period. Her graduation work Children dancing is kept at Việt Nam Fine Arts Museum.

Sơn Trúc (born in 1944). Colour sketch, “Kindergarten”. 1973. Oil. 200×420 cm

Art critic Quang Việt wrote: “Sơn Trúc paints very fresh and lively images, with a witty look, especially when she draws children. For her, simplicity is never synonymous with rationality or conceptualization. Lines – Sơn Trúc’s main means of expression – look “smooth”, but in fact there is always warmth and subtlety of emotions originating from observation.”

Sơn Trúc (born in 1944). Learning to dance. 1974. Silk. 55×74 cm. Nguyễn Phi Hùng Collection, Hà Nội

The work Learning to dance introduced by Viet Art View this time was created by artist Sơn Trúc in 1974. At that time, the North was still increasing production, serving as a solid back for the war to liberate the South during the period of most drastic. The country still had many difficulties, but perhaps in this kindergarten, there is only joy and happiness.

The image of lovely children and teachers dancing together makes viewers deeply feel the meaning of “peace”. The colour scheme of soft green on the silk material with flowing lines, makes the space seem to be filled with the sound of music and joyful children.

***
Works of artist Sơn Trúc: