Please, Handle With Care!

Craig Thomas Gallery is pleased to invite you to the private cocktail reception of Please, Handle With Care!, a solo exhibition of works by Hanoi-based artist Nguyen The Hung.

Please, Handle With Care! is composed of Nguyen The Hung’s latest series of paintings done in acrylic on canvas, acrylic on do paper on canvas and acrylic on silver leaf on canvas. The collection emanates from the artist’s musings on the differences between historical and modern designs, and the conflict between rural-traditional Vietnamese values and newly urbanized-internationalized attitudes.

The classical Vietnamese and Buddhist patterns found throughout the paintings of Please, Handle With Care! are easily recognized symbols of earlier dynastic eras – dragons, phoenixes, lions, ancient stories of “dragons chasing a pearl” or “two dragons flying to the moon” – reminders of Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage. Juxtaposed against this background are sensual figures of modern Vietnamese women presented in vivid and enticing poses.

Click here to watch a video report made during Hung”s exhibition