Drawing inspiration from the rich history of East Asian landscape art, “Ethereal Places” presents a collection of Thắng’s works that explore the theme of the landscape over the past five years. Deeply rooted in the traditions of East Asian art, the landscape has always held a significant place in daily life, serving as a means to express our predecessors’ perspectives and inner thoughts.
Thắng’s artistic journey began with an exploration of the formal changes in the landscape, symbolically capturing the essence of Vietnam’s landscapes in his earlier series titled “Vietnam’s Landscapes” (2010-2014). This led him to further delve into the spiritual essence of landscapes with his series “The Circle of Time” (2016-2021) and the subsequent series “The Reflections.” Throughout this artistic evolution, the artist gradually moved away from the traditional depictions of landscapes and embraced a path of visuospatial exploration influenced by classic poetry and abstraction.
Informed by his deep appreciation of Tang poetry, Thắng discovered a profound connection between Chinese classical poetry and landscape art. This revelation allowed him to transcend the boundaries of space and time, exploring the endlessness and delicate beauty inherent in landscapes. Through abstraction, inspired by the characteristics of gushi (Chinese classical poetry), the artist expanded his visual boundaries and embraced a sense of freedom and wholeness within his works.
“Ethereal Places” invites viewers to embark on a journey through Hà Mạnh Thắng’s artistic exploration of landscapes, where history, time, and memories converge. Through his art, the artist aims to connect with viewers, enabling them to reflect upon themselves and their place within the vastness of the universe.
Join us for the opening of “Ethereal Places” at Richard Koh Fine Art’s Singapore gallery on 12 August 2023. Experience the ethereal beauty of landscapes brought to life through Thắng’s masterful creations.
Download the catalogue here.