For the kids: Xin chu Ong Do (Asking the Confucian Scholar for Calligraphy)

An exhibition in Ha Noi by artist Pham Luc features 50 pieces which he has produced since 1959.

It’s the 50th anniversary of his first day as a painter. Collectors of Pham Luc organised the show to mark his half-century and honour the war veteran’s gifts.

"Pham Luc is a talented painter who shows a modern style with strange, bold, firm strokes while still keeping the familiar Vietnamese soul and spirit," collectors club head Nguyen Si Dung said.

"His paintings attract the attention of people of different classes for whom art is important. A group of people who love paintings has been set up and Luc plays a role in it," said Dung.

Luc’s paintings at the exhibition cover all aspects of life honestly reflected through 50 years. Here people can see a scene of war, a mother feeding her child, a virgin with flowers and beautiful landscapes.

Luc said: "Painting a lot and continuously are important if an artist is to improve. Creating a new while still being familiar is a hard task for a painter. The fact there are many people who like my works is the result of a whole life’s practice and creativity."

Painter Vu An Chuong, Luc’s classmate, said though Luc produces a lot, each of his works has typical aspects that couldn’t be mistaken for another’s work.

"I really like his works, all of his works, especially his old ones as they carry the breath of life with activities of soldiers in war and daily life of normal people," Chuong said.

"Now, his style has changed a lot as he paints with fresh and strong colours which make his works harmonious and attractive."

Luc, 66, said at the opening ceremony on Monday: "I spent most of my youth during the time of change, through war to peace, from poverty and difficulties to the present, from sadness to happiness. I just wanted to record all the changes in my paintings so that our younger generations can understand the development of the country."

Denmark’s Ambassador to Viet Nam, Peter Lysholt Hansen, said at the opening ceremony that he appreciated Luc’s talent for recording the history of the country.

Hansen said people with the responsibility should do something to protect and improve Luc’s talent so that he could contribute more for art and the community.

The exhibition will last until next Saturday at the 16 Ngo Quyen Street Gallery, Ha Noi. At the same time, another exhibition of Luc’s painting is ongoing in the William Mora Gallery in Melbourne, Australia. The exhibition which is organised by Tony Oliver, an Australian collector, is the first one here featuring works by a Vietnamese painter.