‘The Time-Captured Hand’ Exhibition: Reality Comes Before Beauty
“The artists not only observe life but they have to live the life. The artwork’s reality comes before beauty. A piece of art speaks for the part of life that is shrouded in the shadow, an artist’s individual perception of reality.” – Buu Chi.
Memory (Buu Chi, 1993)
Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort & Spa together with REI Artspace and curator advisor, Ly Doi are pleased to introduce the exhibition “The Time-Captured Hand” commemorating the 20th anniversary of the death of the legendary painter Buu Chi (October 8, 1948 – December 14, 2002). In this exhibition, we proudly showcase 28 artworks with various materials such as lacquer, canvas, paper, etc. while introducing to the public REI’s exclusive artbook “The Time-Captured Hand” that includes his artworks and articles about the artist.
Life (Buu Chi, 1995)
This brings our readers a better perspective of his life, personal relationships as well as style and inspirations. We hope our readers consider this book as an appreciation of such talented and profound artist. At the same time, we would like to express our gratitude for Buu Chi’s contributions to the Vietnam art scene.
About The Artist
Buu Chi (1948 – 2002)
Buu Chi was born in Hue, he belonged to the bloodline of the last Vietnamese Emperor – Bao Dai, he was known as an incredibly talented self-taught artist.
He graduated from Hue Law University in 1971 but he was arrested by the South Vietnamese government a year later for leading anti-government student movements and anti-war activities. Before his imprisonment, his drawings described the horrors of war which had been published by the Union of Student Authors and overseas for the Vietnamese in France, Germany and Canada. He continued to draw while in prison, using whatever materials he could find – matches, cigarette boxes and papers, bamboo sticks and pencils. After that, his works found their way out, and appeared in anti-war publications in North America and Europe. Buu Chi struggled throughout his life for social change in the face of isolation and the terror of war.
His works were influenced by Giacometti and Dali and documented the absurdity of human existence and it is a unique record of his ideas and philosophies. His early graphic works were in the collection of the Boston University Library, and his paintings are now in the collection of the Vietnamese Fine Arts Association and private collections worldwide.
Sun-Moon (Buu Chi, 1995)
“The Time-Captured Hand” exhibition takes place at Le Lycée, an art gallery nested in a French colonial villa within Ana Mandara Villas Dalat and opens its door to public from 26/03 to 26/05/2023.