KVT – Paper Fun

Popped into the Bookworm this cool Sunday afternoon to see the works on paper in their cozy little gallery.

 Just in time to see another of Tran Cuong’s delightful small drawings (water color and Chinese ink) being sold to a very satisfied art patron. His whimsical, delicate nudes cause lots of smiles, and the occasional personification with animals is gorgeous. A couple of tiny landscapes (hidden behind a pillar) are quite wonderful. He has included three ceramic plates which, if the prices were as tempting as those of the drawings, I’d be tempted to buy and use as functional dishes.

Bouncing off the teasing quietness of Cuong’s drawings are the very funny, very clever, very active, and very topical Dialogues by Hung Linh. These drawings (water color and inkjet) on yellow paper are also amazingly low priced and make you laugh and reflect. Reg Mombassa, artist and designer of Mambo would really appreciate their irreverence. I can see how adolescent males could be caught up in their naughtiness. Adults of both sexes will be captivated by their wry humor. When he plays around with a couple of toys on a separate wall we see another dimension of his impish take on life.

The drawings by well known young lacquer artist Vu Trung (lacquer-pen-water color-inkjet) are really clever. Trung has departed from the deep meditative qualities in his lacquer landscapes and is mischievously poking his tongue at us in a pop art conversation about our consumer practices and sometimes shallow ideals. He’s also poking fun at himself. It all works wonderfully well. Two pieces are hung outside the gallery space and are also worth more than a casual glance.

This humorous exhibition reflects the camaraderie between these three young men and can’t but help brighten your day.

PS: Museum of Fine Arts LACQUERED

Whatever you do if you like art that hits you in the eye then you have to see Dinh Quan’s BIG lacquer bits in the free gallery at the Museum of Fine Art. They are richly colored and full of stories. If you expect to see pretty lacquer bits, stay away. If you’re already a fan of Quan’s celebrated lacquer women you’ll be really surprised.

To see my slant on them read my overblown, but sincere, piece on his sound and light installation last Friday night.

Try and get there at a time where you’ll be with these sometimes grotesque works all by yourself. It’s an overwhelming sensation.