Pham Van Duc
‘First Impressions’
Exhibition
The Back Loft
27th April 2012
Opening 6:30pm
Exhibition runs until Sunday 29th April
Vietnamese painter and Lacquer ware artist Pham Van Duc has been studying and working in the field of fine art for over a decade. He holds a BA in Fine Art from the Fine Art University of Ho Chi Minh city. Pham Van Duc has exhibited extensively in Ho Chi Minh City; his last solo exhibition was held in the Fine Art Museum of Ho Chi Minh City in 2010 and he has sold works internationally. Duc worked as a full time lecturer of Fine Art at the Architectural University of Ho Chi Minh and as an Art teacher in The Christina Noble Children’s foundation, teaching art to street children of all ages, for over ten years. He moved to Ireland in 2010 where he is currently a full time painter. This exhibition in The Back Loft is a launch of Duc’s art works in Ireland before his first solo exhibition in London in June 2012.
This exhibition, entitled ‘First Impressions’, is a reflection of Duc’s first time living in Ireland - an impression of his journey from East to West and how the stimulation of a new environment allowed for an exploration of new shapes, colour, light and texture. The artist’s visual consideration of his new home and the people he has met here are all explored on canvas. Duc captures completely alternate snapshots of his surroundings to a stunning effect.
For More Information on Pham Van Duc please see his website:
You cancontactDuc through his representative Ciarna Hackett:
0852193778
The Back Loft 7-11 St. Augustine Street, Dublin 8
Artist’s statement:
‘’Since coming to Ireland I have found myself constantly stimulated by my new environment. I found myself overwhelmed by the beauty of Ireland, the landscape, the people and the culture. Ireland is full of visual triggers and I can’t help but be moved to express these on canvas. I did the same back in Vietnam – exploring the beauty of everyday life, but this time the whole visual concept has changed to adapt new colours, new lines and, especially, new feelings. I’ve spent almost two years here, feeling, observing and being inspired.
I find my mood affected by the seasons, something which is new to me, as Ho Chi Minh City experiences very few changes in weather and the light seldom changes throughout the year. Despite wanting to paint all of this, I lost my mother soon after I moved here and this stunted my ability to express myself as I was in mourning for a long time but one year on the spring has brought new life and new vision.
The vast and expressive landscape of Ireland, the old structures of the buildings and the winding alleys of Dublin has also altered my perceptions, and therefore my painting.
I’ve had the chance to live with an Irish family, as my wife is Irish, and I found it fascinating that the relationship I have with this family is similar to the relationship I have with my own family. I find people in Ireland very friendly and I have met some great characters who have inspired my work. This has allowed me a further insight into people and has also allowed me to explore my relationships with people through portraiture.
Although I have encountered many differences, ultimately I have discovered that human vulnerability and the beauty of nature is the same the world over and I hope that this is reflected in my paintings.’’
Pham Van Duc
April 2012
