HA MANH THANG, The Last Afternoon of Autumn Is Over #3 (Buổi chiều cuối cùng của mùa thu đã kết thúc #3), 2023, Acrylic, acrylic medium, charcoal, lacquer, gold leaves and oil on canvas and silk, 135.5 x 75.5 cm. Photo courtesy of Richard Koh Fine Art and artist
“Ethereal Places,” features the captivating works of artist Hà Mạnh Thắng. The exhibition will be held at RKFA’s Singapore gallery from 12 to 26 August 2023. 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 landscape over the past five years. Deeply rooted in the traditions of East Asian art, landscape has always held a significant place in daily life, serving as a means to express the perspectives and inner thoughts of our predecessors.
Thắng’s artistic journey began with an exploration of the formal changes in 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 visuo-spatial exploration influenced by traditional 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 a process of 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.
Venue: Richard Koh Fine Art
Blk 47 Malan Road, #01 – 26 Gillman Barracks, Singapore 109444
When: 12 - 26 Aug 2023, Tuesday – Saturday: 11 am – 7 pm
