Art Exhibition: A Tale Of Two Tribes

Artists: Nguyen Quang Huy, Vietnam and Zaw Win Pe, Myanmar

Dates: 27 April – 25 May, 2013

Venue: Thavibu Gallery

Opening: Saturday 27th April at 5 pm

Open: Monday – Saturday: 11:00 – 19:00

This exhibition features oil paintings by the Myanmar artist Zaw Win Pe and the Vietnamese artist Nguyen Quang Huy – with series of highland landscapes in the two countries and portraits of the peoples residing in these 'hill tribe' areas.

The hill tribes of Myanmar’s Shan State and North Vietnam’s Lao Cai district are highly regarded for their unique culture and traditions that they have preserved despite the various influences and respective changes that have impacted both their nations. Zaw Win Pe from Myanmar and Nguyen Quang Huy from Vietnam have both been fascinated and inspired by the environments of the hill tribes of their countries. Within their own perspective they capture the essence of their subjects through their own unique artistic vocabulary while at the same time bringing their audiences closer to the cultural nuances of Myanmar and Vietnam.

Zaw Win Pe is renowned for his Shan Landscapes, which he depicts through his vibrant palette and richly textured paintings. The undulating hills are portrayed through a variety of colors of the day. His portraits of the Pa-O people are filled with character that articulates their unique culture and habitat. Zaw Win Pe is 53 years old and pursued his studies at the State School of Fine Arts in Yangon. His international exhibitions include venues in Hong Kong, Singapore, USA, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Canada, and France. His works can be found in the collection of the Singapore Art Museum.

In contrast, Nguyen Quang Huy’s depictions of women from the Hmong people are soft and mellow. Through a very different palette, he articulates the grace and beauty, for which they are renowned. His landscapes of the mountainous North Western region of Vietnam are quiet and misty. Nguyen Quang Huy is 42 years old and studied at the Hanoi Fine Arts University as well as participated in residencies in Germany, Australia and the USA. He also examines the relationship between people and the land or environment in which they live. He has participated in many international exhibitions and his works are included in the permanent collection of the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Japan and the World Bank Art Program, USA.