About the artwork
Stemming from his experience as a social realist painter, Van Tho often works with figurative subjects such as people. Instead of working with brushes, Van opts for alternative tools like trowels and typically combines traditional and modern painting styles. His decisive use of colour blocks and heavy brushstrokes are reminiscent of nineteenth century Post-Impressionism. Crisp lines efficiently convey visual information, as seen by the facial features, clothing details, crucifix necklace and walking cane.
About the artist
Van Tho was born in 1938 in Ha Nam Province, Vietnam. He graduated from the Hanoi Fine Arts University, and is a member of the Vietnamese Fine Arts Association and the Hanoi Arts Association. Notable for his large-scale lacquer and oil paintings, Van Tho combines traditional and modern painting styles, employing line, shape, bold contrasting colours and abstract forms. He foregoes brushes and instead uses a trowel to paint. Starting out as a social realist, his works retell tradition and often depict human figures in solemn places.