Surrealistic: Cau Ngu (Praying for Fish) by artist Ty is on display at the Tu Do Gallery in HCM City's District 1.

HCM CITY (VNS)— The daily lives of farmers and fishermen is the major theme of 21 surrealist paintings of Nha Trang-based artist Ty now on display at the Tu Do Gallery.

The exhibition, called "Ty", showcases 21 oil on canvas paintings done by the artist from 2006-12.

Ty, whose real name is Nguyen Hoang Minh, uses simplified images and colours of red, brown and yellow to draw people, animals and objects.

The works express several moods and feelings like sincerity in Cau Ngu (Praying for Pumper Catch) ceremony that shows fishermen praying in front of oil lamps and a fishbone; and comfort and joy in Chan Bo (Buffalo Boy), an image of a boy sleeping leisurely on a buffalo.

Ty was born in Hue in 1960, but grew up in Khanh Hoa Province's Nha Trang City. He began studying painting by himself in 2000.

His paintings have been displayed at several exhibitions in Viet Nam, France and the US.

The exhibition will run until April 27 at 53 Ho Tung Mau Street in District 1. — VNS