Abstract art: Acontructed photographiu design by Larry D'Attilio (from the US)

HA NOI (VNS)   — Ten artists from the US, Malaysia and Viet Nam are sharing their unique perspectives on life through dozens of paintings, photographs and installations at an exhibition in downtown Ha Noi.

Titled Destination II, the exhibition is the second brainchild of Nguyen Tam, a renowned player in Ha Noi's artistic industry. The first Destination exhibition was held in 2012 in Ha Noi with collaborations between Vietnamese and Malaysian artists.

"I had to consult many foreign friends, to connect with the most active artists in Malaysia and the US, to display their works here," said Tam.

"We hope the next destination for our next joint exhibitions will be in Malaysia, in the US or other countries. That way, I can come up new destinations for domestic and foreign artists to come together, share their views and to reach new audiences."

Themed Inner Freedom, the exhibition includes 38 works of art by three American and Malaysian fine art photographers and seven painters from the US, Malaysia and Viet Nam.

The exhibition will see John D'Agostino debut his photographs based on Louis Comfort Tiffany's well know glass work. Tiffany is the US's best known art glass designer.

"His unique interpretations suggest different aesthetic feelings and metaphors beyond the utilitarian appearance and utility of the original glass work," Tam introduced.

American photographer Larry D'Attilio will showcase four photographic designs [computer-processed photos], titled Another Way to Go, featuring abstract portrayals of Vietnamese women.

"I am so impressed with the strength of Vietnamese women, their strong will and vitality, despite aspects of traditional culture that hinder them in relation to marriage, children, etc...," D'Attilio told Viet Nam News.

"I emphasise the thoughtfulness, strength, happiness and self-confidence of the Vietnamese women I've met. With different backgrounds, they all prove strong determination is the key to success."

Awang Damit Ahmad, a painter from Malaysia, also said it was his first time coming to Viet Nam to display paintings.

"I think such an exhibition is a good chance for artists from different countries to understand one another," he said, adding: "I will invite some Vietnamese artists to display works at my studio in Kuala Lumpur later this year."

Most of the art works in the exhibition reference portraits of people in some degree. Multi-faced portraits by Brant Kingman (US),obsessional eyes by Dang Tu Thu (Viet Nam), mask-lie portraits dimmed in context by Yusof Ghani (Malaysia), happy or sad faces by Ngo Van Sac (Viet Nam), all aim to resonate strongly with audiences.

The artists will participate in workshops today and tomorrow at the Department of Arts, Ha Noi Teachers' Training University, where they will create works such as body paintings and take photographs.

A forum will then take place, discussing the photos, at 2pm on Sunday, the last day of the exhibition, at the Viet Nam National Museum of Fine Arts. The museum is located at 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. — VNS