An exhibition featuring artworks inspired by rats has opened in Hanoi to celebrate the Lunar New Year – the Year of the Rat, gathering artists from the G39 group.
Hanoi (VNS/VNA) -An exhibition featuring artworks inspired by rats has opened in Hanoi tocelebrate the Lunar New Year – the Year of the Rat, gathering artists from theG39 group.
For nearly 10 years, to celebrate the Lunar New Year, the G39 artists showcasepaintings and sculptures inspired by the zodiac animal of that year.
“Prominent painters of Vietnamese fine arts often create works inspired by thezodiac animals to welcome the New Year since old days, such as Nguyen Tu Nghiem,Bui Xuan Phai and Nguyen Sang. We just want to follow that finetradition,” said Le Thiet Cuong, co-founder of the G39 group.
“The artworks reflect characteristics of the zodiac animal, making themhuman and soulful by putting them in different contexts. For example, DoDung paints a couple of rats in colourful costumes as festival goers, whileNguyen Hong Quang made a statue of a computer mouse with material and patternsof Huong Canh commune’s traditional pottery (the northern province of Vinh Phuc).”
With the same inspiration, they showcase artworks on canvas, do (poohnah)paper, Bat Trang ceramics and Huong Canh pottery.
A highlight of the exhibition is the artwork Two Rats Salute PlumBlossom, created by painter Cuong and artisans of the Ngoc Decor brand.
“Inspired by the symbol Two Dragons Salute the Sun which is very popular intraditional fine arts and architecture, I created the artwork to welcome theYear of the Rat,” said Cuong.
“The gold-inlaid rats are enclosed on a round coin made from white gems,containing a wish of prosperity and good fortune,” he said.
“It requires much care to work on precious natural materials. I sketch thework on a computer, cut the cardboard and make experimental works on stone. Ittook six months to complete the work.”
The exhibition will run until January 30 at Bar 84, 23 Ngo Van So street, Hanoi./.
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Rat, a painting by Tao Linh. 
