BANGKOK (VNS)— About 60 valuable and important contemporary paintings by Vietnamese artists are being displayed for the first time in Bangkok.

The paintings, on display at the 333 Gallery, are part of a collection belonging to Thai artist Tira Vanichtheeranont.

The works introduced are by famous artists who laid the foundation for contemporary art in Viet Nam, To Ngoc Van, Tran Van Can, Nguyen Sang, Bui Xuan Phai, Ta Thuc Binh, Nguyen Gia Tri, and others.

These were exhibited in Ha Noi last December, but the owner wanted to let "Thai people to see the set. It is a chance for them to see these important paintings without going to Viet Nam. We are bringing the Fine Arts Museum of Viet Nam to Bangkok".

The Thai artist has about 2,000 Vietnamese paintings in his collection, most notably the illustrations of Truyen Kieu (The Tales of Kieu), with 13 color wood carvings made by as many artists from the Indochina Fine Arts College founded in 1942.

The exhibition will remain open until September 30. The 333 gallery is located at 16 Surasak Road, Silom, Bangkok.-VNS