Changing times: Dau Xua (Traces of Old Times) by veteran artist Van Y, whose oil paintings are being exhibited at the Tu Do Gallery in HCM City.

HCM CITY (VNS)— A veteran artist in a new exhibition in HCM City evokes beauty, nostalgia and a sense of sadness for disappearing scenes and traditions in Viet Nam.

Van Y, a graduate of the Gia Dinh Fine Arts College in Sai Gon (former name of HCM City), showcases his best works in the Dau Xua (Traces of Old Times) exhibition at Tu Do Gallery.

Most of the 26 oil paintings, which were created between 2010 and 2013, depict rural landscapes and women in different moods.

Some of the lighter-coloured paintings feature young women, beautiful in the traditional ao dai, in states of joyfulness and sadness, and others show memories of life and people.

"Y finds unlimited sources of inspiration in old houses, beautiful women and flowers in small streets. Colours are his language," artist and collector Thu Ha, owner of the gallery, said.

Through Y's art, viewers feel nostalgic for times of the past, but they acknowledgethat society is changing.

Some of the highlights of the exhibition are Thieu Nu Va Meo (Young Girl & a Cat), Hoai Co (Nostalgia), Ganh Hoa (Carrying Flower) and Dau Xua (Traces of Old Times) that include the colours of yellow, red, white and brown.

In Thieu Nu Va Meo, the artist uses only white and red to depict a young girl in ao dai sitting with a small cat in a sad and lonely state. The work's meaning and colours left a strong impression on viewers.

"I hope viewers will be able to think about their lives and loves as well as happiness and failures in the past and present," the 62-year-old artist said.

A member of the Viet Nam Fine Arts Association, Y has held several solo and group exhibitions at home and abroad. Dau Xua is the sixth solo exhibition of his held in the city.

The exhibition closes on November 24 at Tu Do Gallery, 53 Ho Tung Mau Street, District 1. —VNS