HÀ NỘI - A nude painting display by Sophie Trịnh features 23 self-portraits at her first solo exhibition at the Việt Nam Fine Arts Association Exhibition Hall. 

Trịnh's nude paintings entitled Lớp Lang Cảm Xúc (Layers of Emotions) are the fruits born from the artist's hard work over the past six years.

"In a busy life, it is not easy for people expressing their inner feelings with words," said Trịnh.

"I think that all of us have a deep desire to be understood, loved and cared for. So  I want to convey a message of sharing these feelings through my paintings."

Trịnh received a master's degree from Việt Nam University of Fine Arts and she is among a few female artists in Việt Nam to paint self-portraits and romantic-themed paintings. 

The nude oil-on canvas paintings combine the light of realism with the abstract space of expressionism, according to artist Lê Thiết Cương. 

"The artist doesn't look for something new or breakthrough creativity in her nude paintings," Cương said. "She just uses the language of painting and mixed styles telling her own story."

Trịnh took photos herself with cameras and smartphones to view her body from different angles. These photos help her to look herself through another's eyes.

However, she emphasises that the creative process is not about replicating what is captured in the photos, but involves her imagination and creativity to achieve the desired outcome.

Lớp Lang Cảm Xúc exhibition runs until September 2 at 16 Ngô Quyền Street. - VNS