Footnotes

Provenance
Apricot gallery, HCMC, Vietnam.
Acquired by the above by the present owner in 19 December 2006.
Private collection, Asia.

陳留厚
紅花瓶與花束
油彩 畫布
2006年作

簽名：hau 06 (左下)

來源
越南於胡志明市Apricot藝廊
現藏家於2006年12月19日直接得自上述來源
亞洲私人收藏

敬請注意，本拍品不設底價


Tran Luu Hau's artistic journey is a testament to resilience, innovation and profound cultural impact. Born in Vietnam, in 1928, Hau's early life was marked by the turbulence of war and revolution. He developed his artistic skills at the Resistance Fine Arts School in Viet Bac, a revolutionary centre in northern Vietnam, under the mentorship of the esteemed artist To Ngoc Van (1906-1954). This period of intense political and social upheaval deeply influenced Hau's work, instilling in him a sense of urgency and a commitment to capturing the spirit of the times.

Hau travelled to Moscow in 1955 to study at the Surikov Institute of Fine Arts for seven years. Immersed in the world of modern Western art, he was inspired by Post-Impressionist and Abstract Expressionist masters such as Henri Matisse, Chaim Soutine and Willem de Kooning. This exposure to new artistic movements led Hau to develop his unique aesthetic, which he described as the abstraction of reality. Hau's paintings from this period are characterised by their vibrant colours and dynamic brushstrokes. He skilfully combined these elements to convey his personal emotions, philosophy and experiences.

Hau's involvement in the First Indochina War and the Vietnam War further shaped his artistic vision. These experiences of conflict and change were reflected in his bold brushwork and commitment to abstraction. Traditional themes were reinterpreted with greater emotional depth, often featuring recurring motifs such as flowers, nudes and self-portraits. His love for Vietnam was evident in his landscape paintings, which captured the beauty of his hometown, Hanoi, as well as other picturesque locations such as Sapa, Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba Island.

After returning to Vietnam, Hau devoted himself to teaching at the Hanoi College of Fine Arts for three decades, from 1962 to 1989. His influence on the next generation of Vietnamese artists was profound, encouraging them to explore new forms of expression and break away from conservative norms. Hau's commitment to abstraction and modernism helped pave the way for future artists to embrace innovative techniques and ideas.

Even in his later years, Hau continued to push the boundaries of his art. Despite health problems, he remained passionate and creative, often working from a wheelchair. His relentless pursuit of artistic expression and ability to adapt and evolve served as a powerful inspiration to many younger artists.

Tran Luu Hau's legacy is preserved not only in his own work, but also in the continued vibrancy and diversity of contemporary Vietnamese art. His paintings are held in prestigious collections, including the Vietnam War Museum and the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum, as well as numerous private and public collections worldwide. Through his enduring contributions, Hau has established himself as a celebrated figure in Vietnamese art, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of his homeland.