Viet Van Tho

Apologies for delivering such a scattered blog, but as spontaneous and disorganised as I am in everyday life, it gets reflected on here. Thanks for staying tuned in.

Of my 7 weeks here so far, Hanoi's swept me in nicely and quaintly. I've felt the weather changes, had my head deep in the books, strutted myself infront of a very appreciative bunch of Vietnamese students, woven through day to day traffic - still praying for my life on every ocassion, eaten a mass amount of decent food and in contrary have eaten a fair amount of mediocre (bordering rancid) foods, I've craved nourishing pies/mum's homemade dishes/and a well-earned English breakkie. I've been overcharged and undercharged and have given and received an abundance of hearty-warm smiles. Amongst these hectic notions, I've swiftly meandered the streets of Hanoi namely in and around the Old Quarter - the area which boasts the traditions and architectures of little old Hanoi i.e. the icing of the Hanoi cake.

On my choppy gallivants around the Old Quarter, I've stumbled upon many-a-many art galleries - some are cool, some not so cool. These are small galleries (or shops!) which are easily accessible and house paintings of local Vietnamese artists.. I've been drawn in once again by only a selected few artists/styles. I'll first subject you to..

Van Tho This Hanoi University of Fine Art educated artist is an old timer and is fairly prominent in Hanoi. I like how they describe the social realist artist - Van Tho as a combination of three notorious artists wrapped into one.
- Van Gogh - Matisse - Picasso. My, my..lucky Van

[Though is it an advantage to be akin to such great artists? Or do we suggest that being unique and wholesomely new hones a better value? Art is arguably a form of inspiration afterall].

So why do I vouch for Van Tho so much? Well, he draws up facial portraits for a start whilst also managing to capture characteristics of his subject. The thick paint usage lays poised on the canvas with a bold attitude, sleek; in its colourful palette of goodness. Scrap the paintbrushes, this man Van uses a trowel! Van's paintings flow with sharp but contrastingly soft corners. This man has a consistent obtuse style that fails to tire me. On the whole, I think in his 70+ years of age, he's not doing too badly for a modern artist. A defiant winner.