Thai artist spends 2 weeks creating portraits of Vietnamese painter Bui Xuan Phai

Two portraits of Bui Xuan Phai, created using a distinctive layered painting and printing technique, are currently on display in Nongnual’s second exhibition in Hanoi titled 'Layers of Memory.'

The exhibition features 32 large-scale works portraying world-famous painters who have deeply influenced the Thai artist.

'Layers of Memory' is held at the exhibition house of the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition at 29 Hang Bai Street, Hanoi, and is co-organized by the department and Dong A Gallery.

Dong A Gallery previously introduced Nongnual to Vietnamese audiences through his 2019 exhibition 'Asian Faces.'

In the current exhibition, artist Tran Dai Thang, director of Dong A Books and owner of Dong A Gallery, serves as a collaborator, working closely with Nongnual on the concept, theme, and an accompanying art book also titled 'Layers of Memory.'

He also suggested that the artist include portraits of poet Rabindranath Tagore, whom he admires, and Vietnamese painter Bui Xuan Phai to add local cultural elements to the Hanoi exhibition.

While most of the featured artists are figures Nongnual deeply understands and ones that have influence him, he had little knowledge of Bui Xuan Phai before this project.

Tran Dai Thang said in an interview with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that he provided extensive materials about Bui Xuan Phai to help the Thai artist study and capture the spirit of the Vietnamese painter.

The first portrait of Bui Xuan Phai reflects Nongnual’s initial encounter with the Vietnamese master, appearing more direct and outward in expression.

The second portrait, however, develops into a more complex composition with layered memories emerging through the composition.

Nongnual applied as many as nine layers in the final painting before stopping once he felt satisfied.

Tran Dai Thang noted that Nongnual does not merely replicate images or create commemorative works. Instead, he reinterprets artistic figures through his own visual language, allowing them to be 'reborn' in a new artistic spirit.

Thang also said that the entire collection on display has been added to his private collection.

Nongnual’s previous exhibition 'Asian Faces' was also fully collected within just a few days of opening.