You and the sea

Artist Bui Trong Du

Bui Trong Du, a native of the Red Flamboyant City of Hai Phong, carries within him the essence of this coastal city — where foaming waves, brown sails, and golden sunshine harmonize against the deep blue of the sea, ingrained in the hearts of its people.

Establishing his career in Hanoi, Bui Trong Du seems to have internalized the sun, wind, and salty sea air of his hometown. These elements became a part of his emotions and identity, accompanying him as he matured and stepped into his artistic journey. Perhaps this is why he chose a simple yet distinctive painting style to convey his feelings to the public and art lovers alike.

Using lacquer as his primary medium, Bui Trong Du has skillfully expressed his ideas and emotions through depictions of everyday life. The lotus flower and women are the central themes he explores. His artistic language often combines stylized realism with touches of expressionism. In terms of composition, his subjects are simplified and tinged with nostalgia. His rustic brushstrokes echo the spirit of Vietnamese folk art. Special techniques and materials such as gold, silver, and mother-of-pearl are selectively applied to key elements or focal points in his works, creating unique visual effects.

Works like Summer Lotus, Woman with Lotus, Street Corners, Flower Vases, and childhood memories of flocks of birds, fish, frogs, and dragonflies reveal the rhythms of life and the innocent beauty of youth. These themes serve as a foundation for the artist to explore his internal emotions. The complexity of lacquer as a medium, juxtaposed with his simplified forms, has resulted in a captivating combination that defines Bui Trong Du’s unique mark within the context of Vietnam’s contemporary art during the era of global integration.