The blues ain't nothin' but the blues: Den Mau (Coloured Light) is among 25 works displayed in Nguyen Trong Tuong's solo exhibition at the Tu Do Gallery in HCM City.

HCM CITY — An artist hailing from the northern province of Nam Dinh evokes beauty, nostalgia and a sense of sadness for disappearing scenes and traditions in an exhibition now open in HCM City.

Nguyen Trong Tuong, a member of the Viet Nam Fine Arts' Association, is showcasing his best works in Sac Cau Vong (Colours of Rainbow) at the Tu Do Gallery.

Most of the 25 oil paintings depict rural landscapes and women in different moods, a distinctive style. Some of the lighter coloured paintings feature young women in states of joyfulness and sadness, and others describe memories of life and people.

Truong finds unlimited sources of inspiration in old houses, beautiful gardens and rivers in rural areas.

"Sometimes I feel grief when I see the modern lifestyle instead of traditional values, but I know the society is developing," said the 70-year-old artist.

Some of the highlights of the exhibition are Nang Trong Vuon (Garden in the Sunshine), Den Mau (Coloured Light) and Chieu Ngoai O (A Rural Evening) where yellow, red and blue hues mingle to capture different moments in life.

"Colours are my language," Tuong said."I hope viewers will be able to think about their lives and loves as well as happiness and failures in the past and present."

A graduate of the Ha Noi Fine Arts University, Tuong has held several solo and group exhibitions in Ha Noi, HCM City, South Korea and Singapore.

The exhibition remains open until this Saturday at 53 Ho Tung Mau Street, District 1. — VNS