HCM CITY (VNS)— The works of self-taught painter Tran Dat, who specialises in portraits, are being shown in a solo exhibition at the HCM City Fine Arts Museum.

The show, Chan Dung – Bang Huu (Portraits– Friends), features 116 works, including portraits, abstract paintings and calligraphy works in acrylic, oil paint, watercolour, pastel and pencil.

In 2000, he began to study painting by himself and focused on portraiture. Since that time, he has painted thousands of portraits.

His works include portraits of Professor Tran Van Khe, late music composer Trinh Cong Son, late poet Bui Giang and film director Le Cung Bac. Dat's friends are another favourite subject.

Other works on display include landscapes of the Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) province of Kon Tum, abstract painting featuring Phuc, Loc, Tho (Happiness, Prosperity, Longevity) and 12 calligraphy works.

Dat, whose real name is Tran Van Dat, was born in 1953 in Nam Dinh and moved to the South in 1954.

The exhibition, which will close on June 6, can be seen at the museum at 97A Pho Duc Chinh in District 1.-VNS