Tran Van Thao

“When we close our eyes, we see shadows of the infinite, disorientation, profound depth… not just the literal meaning of shadows. And when we open our eyes, we see many things: sun and wind, air, objects, people… This ‘eye-opening’ moment could be at any time, in any mood, can ‘catch’ any subject, can recall any atmosphere.” Tran Van Thao (b. 1961, Saigon), one of Vietnam’s foremost abstract painters, is recognized for his individual markings, rich colour fields and compositions that convey a sense of harmony and balance through a contemplative atmosphere that invites introspection and mindfulness. For Tran, inspiration comes from the humble yet dynamic experience of everyday life, as well as the immediacy of his surroundings. Tran’s work can be raw with primitivist markings or rich with color fields.  Veils of oil paint, scumbled areas of depth, papier-mâché, collage and brazen linear shapes are all basic ingredients of his stylistic repertoire.