HA NOI – One of Malaysia's leading painters, Yusof Ghani, will showcase his latest works in a group exhibition at the Viet Nam National Museum of Fine Arts in the capital from March 24.

Working as a graphic artist from 1969 to 1979, Ghani's transition to fine arts started when he received a grant to study in Virginia, the US, in 1979.

He soon became interested in the work of famous American abstract expressionists such as Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning, eventually enrolling for classed in fine arts.

After receiving a master's degree from the Catholic University in Washington DC, he had his first solo exhibition at the city's prestigious Anton Gallery. Since then, he has had successful shows in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong, San Francisco, London, Abu Dhabi, New Delhi, Tokyo and Madrid.

The 62-year-old artist is currently a fine arts teacher at the University Technology MARA, in Malaysia.

Alongside Ghani, fellow countryman Zaim Durulaman will display paintings of Malaysian fishermen at the event.

A full time artist since 1990, Durulaman has participated in exhibitions in Brunei, China, Japan, Korea, Macedonia, Tunisia, Serbia and Dubai, his work part of collections at museums, corporates, banks and art lovers around the world.

Saturday's show in will also include works by five Vietnamese painters, including Nguyen Than, Vu Hoa, Ngo Hai Yen, Ngo Van Sac and Luu Tuyen.

Entitled Diem Den I (The Destination I), the exhibition will serve as a cultural exchange between regional artists.

It will take place at 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, from March 24 to April 1. – VNS