ASEAN
22 March 2014
Ethnic painting from Vietnam in Toronto
The return of Dinh Thi Tham Poong’s paintings to Toronto's East Gallery has been truly worth the wait. Her solo show opens this Wednesday, June 12.
The return of Dinh Thi Tham Poong’s paintings to Toronto's East Gallery has been truly worth the wait. Her unique work is deeply influenced by her Muong ethnic minority roots and her childhood growing up in a remote mountainous region on the border of Vietnam with China.
Her solo show opens this Wednesday, June 12.
Vietnam is widely considered to be the latest "Asian tiger economy", with very rapid economic development and poverty reduction. But much of the benefits have accrued to the dominant Kinh (Viet) ethnic group which make up 86% of the population, and the small the Hoa community (ethnic Chinese in Vietnam).
The country's ethnic minorities, of which there are over 50 distinct groups including the Muong, still lag seriously behind. These ethnic minorities often suffer from lack of access to education and health services, and land rights and human rights abuses.
It is thus a double miracle that Tham Poong, as a woman from the Muong ethnic minority, should be one of Vietnam's most successful contemporary artists. She has had 17 international exhibitions over the past 15 years including shows in Berlin, New York City, London, Miami, Tokyo, Helsinki and Manila.
In this exhibition, Tham Poong uses vivid images, striking contrasts and intricate patterns to bring to life her strong connection to her roots. Her poetic watercolours on handmade ‘Dzo’ paper are almost surreal, erasing boundaries between humans and nature.
"In my mind everything has two halves. Everything contains each other, is intertwined with each other. What makes me happy are the customs of the minority people who I grew up with, their spirituality and musicality, the sounds and smells of nature", she says. "I am now living in a big city but these memories and experiences have a special place inside me. Through my paintings I express my love and admiration for the close connectedness that minority people, in their beautifully patterned clothes, have with nature".
The owners of the East Gallery, Andrew FitzGerald and Claudia Blume, have known Tham Poong for 16 years. She designed their wedding invitation in 1998.
This exhibition is a celebration which should not be missed!
Exhibition details:
"Green Something", Dinh Thi Tham Poong Solo Show
Exhibition Dates: June 12 – July 14, 2013
Location:
The East Gallery, 334 Dundas Street West, Toronto
(across from Art Gallery of Ontario)
Opening Reception:
Wed. June 12th, 5 - 8pm
Executive Director
Asian Century Institute
www.asiancenturyinstitute.com
Her solo show opens this Wednesday, June 12.
Vietnam is widely considered to be the latest "Asian tiger economy", with very rapid economic development and poverty reduction. But much of the benefits have accrued to the dominant Kinh (Viet) ethnic group which make up 86% of the population, and the small the Hoa community (ethnic Chinese in Vietnam).
The country's ethnic minorities, of which there are over 50 distinct groups including the Muong, still lag seriously behind. These ethnic minorities often suffer from lack of access to education and health services, and land rights and human rights abuses.
It is thus a double miracle that Tham Poong, as a woman from the Muong ethnic minority, should be one of Vietnam's most successful contemporary artists. She has had 17 international exhibitions over the past 15 years including shows in Berlin, New York City, London, Miami, Tokyo, Helsinki and Manila.
In this exhibition, Tham Poong uses vivid images, striking contrasts and intricate patterns to bring to life her strong connection to her roots. Her poetic watercolours on handmade ‘Dzo’ paper are almost surreal, erasing boundaries between humans and nature.
"In my mind everything has two halves. Everything contains each other, is intertwined with each other. What makes me happy are the customs of the minority people who I grew up with, their spirituality and musicality, the sounds and smells of nature", she says. "I am now living in a big city but these memories and experiences have a special place inside me. Through my paintings I express my love and admiration for the close connectedness that minority people, in their beautifully patterned clothes, have with nature".
The owners of the East Gallery, Andrew FitzGerald and Claudia Blume, have known Tham Poong for 16 years. She designed their wedding invitation in 1998.
This exhibition is a celebration which should not be missed!
Exhibition details:
"Green Something", Dinh Thi Tham Poong Solo Show
Exhibition Dates: June 12 – July 14, 2013
Location:
The East Gallery, 334 Dundas Street West, Toronto
(across from Art Gallery of Ontario)
Opening Reception:
Wed. June 12th, 5 - 8pm
Author
John WestExecutive Director
Asian Century Institute
www.asiancenturyinstitute.com