Tattooed lady: A painting by veteran artist Rung is one of 10 vividly coloured works on show in HCM City.

HCM CITY (VNS) — Veteran artist Rung, whose real name is Nguyen Tuan Khanh, is exhibiting several of his works on women and love at Tu Do Gallery in HCM City.

Rung's Eva – Mua Xuan Vinh Cuu (Eva – Spring Forever) exhibition has 10 large works in oil, acrylic and canvas portraying women in different states.

The 71-year-old said he finds unlimited inspiration in the beauty and spirit of women. "For me, women and their love keep the world alive."

In Rung's paintings, he uses vivid colours including lemon-yellow and pink, and features nude women in various states of joy, hope and sadness. Other paintings use deep and navy blue colours that show young girls alone.

In his works, women and their conflicts in love and life are featured.

Born in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Rung studied at the Hue Fine Arts College. After graduation in 1964, he worked as a fine arts lecturer for Teachers College in Quy Nhon Province.

He began his professional career in the royal capital city of Hue, but showed his first works at a group exhibition in Sai Gon (now HCM City).

He has created more than 2,000 works in different styles. "I can see life and love through war and death as well," he said.

In 1994, he moved to live in the US, where he has maintained his passion for painting.

His work was part of a popular exhibition called As Seen by Both Sides, with works by a group of Vietnamese and American artists.

The exhibition travelled to 17 museums around the US and three museums in Viet Nam from 1989 to 1994.

He has also displayed his works at the exhibition An Ocean Apart, a special show curated by David Thomas for the US-based Smithsonian Institution's Travelling Exhibition Service.

The exhibition's debut in 1995 attracted viewers in the US and later in Viet Nam. It closed in 2000 after travelling to dozens of museums in both countries.

His works have also been part of group exhibitions in Washington DC and around the US, and in many countries. His recent solo shows in HCM City, Ha Noi and Hue have been very popular.

Eva – Spring Forever runs until October 6 at 53 Ho Tung Mau Street in District 1. — VNS