HOPA opens first nude photo exhibition

HCM CITY — The HCM City Photographic Association (HOPA) will officially open its first nude photo exhibition entitled Mien Co Tich (Fairytale Land) featuring beautiful artworks by veteran photographer Thai Phien on June 16.

Fairytale Land will display 26 nude photos to mark the 26-year career of photographer Phien. The photos are selected from his book with the same name which launched three months ago.

"I don’t want to display many photos because the place is a bit small," said Phien. "However, the photos will be printed large on canvas. I’ve picked the photos I like best and I’ll tell stories behind each picture to the exhibition visitors."

The exhibition is organised by HOPA to mark a milestone for fine art photography in HCM City. Phien had already asked three times and spent 10 years seeking permission for his nude photo exhibition, but the HCM City Department of Culture and Sports refused to grant a license for the show until now.

Phien said that he is glad because this is the first nude photo exhibition to be held by HOPA and he is ready to bring the exhibition to other cities and provinces. "The exhibition is also a chance for me to promote my photo book, Fairytale Land, which was released three months ago without a launch ceremony," said Phien.

Fairytale Land is the second nude photo book by Phien including 34 colour and 61 black and white photos. His first book Xuan Thi (Spring Time) was launched in 2007 with 20,000 copies. The book earned him the most prestigious prize from the Viet Nam Artistic Photographers Association (VAPA) in 2009.

Born in the central province of Thua Thien Hue, Phien engaged in art photography when he was an agricultural and forestry engineer. He is a member of the VAPA.

The Fairytale Land exhibition will open at 9am at HOPA’s office, 22 Suong Nguyet Anh, District 1. The exhibition is suitable for all ages. This is the second nude photo exhibition in HCM City. The first was organised by photographer Hao Nhien last September.

The Viet Nam Department of Exhibition, Fine Arts and Photography will open the first nude photo exhibition in Ha Noi at the end of July. — VNS