ARTIST STATEMENT
As a self taught expressionist and figurative painter, I am very much influenced by the visions I see, the melodies I hear and my deep appreciation for tradition and beauty.
Through my art, I advocate, and also seek, balance and harmony. Balance and harmony not only on the canvas, but more importantly, within me. When a pendulum reaches the extremes, it seeks the center. Through balance, we have harmony. Through harmony, we have peace. And through peace, we have happiness.
Lest we forget, visual art is also first and foremost about aesthetics and beauty. Through my art, I seek beauty. Beauty in the colors, the shapes, the lines and most importantly, in the balance and harmony created by the interplay of all these different elements.
BIOGRAPHY
Artist: Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai
Born: 1966 in Vietnam
Profile
Prior to the commencement of Nguyen Thi Mai’s journey in art in 2004, she lived and worked in Singapore for 5 years. The fast-paced and stressful lifestyle in Singapore was a culture shock for her. But it also served as a major source of inspiration and played a large role in influencing her art later on.
Mai returned to Vietnam in May 2004 and took up oil painting by taking lessons from Mr. Tham Duc Tu, a leading art teacher with over 40 years of teaching experience, at the Art & Lacquer Club in Hanoi.
While her years away from home provided her a more cosmopolitan perspective, it became apparent over the years that her art has become introspective and reflective. It is Mai’s belief that harmony and balance is very important in life and the unbridled drive for materialism is unhealthy. Her art is a reflection of her belief.
Awards
1. Distinguished Artist, ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal, Vol.23, February 2017.
2. Awarded, Vietnam Fine Art Association Region 6 Exhibition (Group Exhibition), 2015
3. Awarded, Ho Chi Minh City Fine Art Association Annual Exhibition (Group Exhibition), 2015
Curricula Vitae
2022
Release of artist monographs – “Nguyen Thi Mai”. Published by Skira Editore – ISBN 885724050.
2021
Created first NFT on Opensea.io with an early digital art work.
2020
1. Vietnam Fine Art Association Quinquennial National Exhibition (Group Exhibition).
2. Vietnam Fine Art Association Region 6 Exhibition (Group Exhibition).
3. Ho Chi Minh City Fine Art Association Annual Exhibition (Group Exhibition).
4. Qua Art Space Post Card Collaboration Project
2019
1. Made In Vietnam Zine, Issue No. 3, March 2019
2. Art & Zine Festival by Made In Vietnam Zine, Soma Art Lounge, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Group Exhibition).
2018
1. Featured Artist, Magazine d’Art De Saigon, Issue No. 4, December 2018
2. Profiled Artist, WTP Central, July 2018
3. Featured Artist, The Woven Tale Press, N.Y., July 2018, Vol. 6
4. Site Review on The Woven Tale Press, N.Y., March 2018
2017
1. “Metamorphosis” – VICAS Art Studio, Hanoi, Vietnam (Solo Exhibition).
2. November Open Call, Average Art Magazine, UK, November 2017 Issue.
3. November Open Call, A5 Art Magazine, UK, November 2017 Issue.
4. Yogyakarta International Art Festival 2017, Jogja Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia (Group Exhibition).
5. “Hoi An Convergence” – D.A.N. Studio and Thanh Ha Ceramic, Hoi An, Vietnam (Group Exhibition).
6. 7th Beijing International Art Biennale – National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China.
7. “Gặp” – Fine Art Museum of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Group Exhibition).
8. “Doyenne” – Women’s Day Commemorative Exhibition, Hyderabad, India (Group Exhibition).
9. “Portraits” Open Call, ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal, Vol.23, February 2017.
2016
“One Happy World” – Fine Art Museum of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Solo Exhibition).
2015
1. 6th Beijing International Art Biennale – National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China.
2. Vietnam Fine Art Association Quinquennial National Exhibition (Group Exhibition).
3. Vietnam Fine Art Association Region 6 Exhibition (Group Exhibition).
4. Ho Chi Minh City Fine Art Association Annual Exhibition (Group Exhibition).
2014
1. “Women” – L’Espace Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam (Solo Exhibition).
2. “Welcoming 2014” – Vietnam Fine Art Association, Hanoi, Vietnam (Group Exhibition).
2013
1. “1st Hanoi Open Exhibition” – Workroom Four, Hanoi, Vietnam (Group Exhibition).
2. Joined Vietnam Fine Art Association.
2012
1. “Roots” – Viet Art Center, Hanoi, Vietnam (Solo Exhibition).
2. “Capital Fine Art Exhibition” – Hanoi Fine Art Association, Hanoi, Vietnam (Group Exhibition).
2011
Self published a coffee table photo book of her work – “Nguyen Thi Mai”, Fine Art Publishing House, Hanoi, Vietnam.
2010
“Hai Phong Art Club Exhibition” – Hai Phong Art Club, Vietnamese Czech Cultural & Friendship Palace, Hai Phong, Vietnam (Group Exhibition).
2009
Mai tried her hands at silk painting. Like all the rest of her work on the other mediums, the abstract theme is ever present. Even a simple portrait of a face is drawn in a manner to elicit thoughts and ponder from the spectator.
2008
2008 was the year Mai ventured into lacquer painting. Although she had experimented with this form of expression a few years ago, 2008 saw a much more focused and concerted desire to bring lacquer painting into her repertoire.
2007
Mai started the use of Diep paper with water color and Chinese ink as a channel of expression for her creativity.
2006
“17th Anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam-Czech Cultural Friendship Palace” – The Art & Lacquer Club, Vietnam-Czech Cultural Friendship Palace, Haiphong, Vietnam.
2006 is also the year Mai started experimenting with porcelain painting. She visited the porcelain village of Bat Trang to learn the demanding skill of painting on porcelain from the talented and experienced artisans there.
2005
1. “Blooming Spring” – Sedona Suites Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam (Solo Exhibition).
2. “Art & Lacquer Club Exhibition” – Hanoi, Vietnam (Group Exhibition).
3. Attended an exhibition cum seminar organized by the Art & Lacquer Club, Hue City, Vietnam.
4. Started using acrylic as an alternate medium to oil.
2004
Began her journey in art with oil painting.