Lam Triet ventures into the magic world of colors

Painter Lam Triet was born in 1938 in Bong Son, Binh Dinh, and studied painting at Hue and Gia Dinh art schools. In 1961, he began to teach painting at Vo Truong Toan and Phan Boi Chau high schools in Phan Thiet, then worked as a painting lecturer at Hue Art School in 1968 and in Saigon in 1969. He won the national Art bronze medal in Saigon in 1960 and then the gold medal in 1962. During the time he was in the U.S. after 1975, he had to take different jobs andhis painting career was thus interrupted. However,...
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Lam Triet ventures into the magic world of colors Lam Triet ventures into the magic world of colorsBy Nguyen HungPainter Lam Triet was born in 1938 in Bong Son, Binh Dinh, andstudied painting at Hue and Gia Dinh art schools. In 1961, he began toteach painting at Vo Truong Toan and Phan Boi Chau high schools inPhan Thiet, then worked as a painting lecturer at Hue Art School in1968 and in Saigon in 1969. He won the national Art bronze medal inSaigon in 1960 and then the gold medal in 1962. During the time hewas in the U.S. after 1975, he had to take different jobs andhis paintingcareer was thus interrupted. However, in 1990, when he first returnedto Vietnam , he long-dormant artistic heart started beating again. Hespent the whole year painting and thus achieved great success.According to Triet, his achievements during ony one year in Vietnamequaled all those he tried his best to garner during 15 years in the U.S.However, in 1991, after his initial exhibition in America, he became thefirst Vietnamese painter to be recognized by the Los Angeles ArtMuseum and his name was listed in its library, a distant dream for afew good Vietnamese painters on the territory of the U.S.Since then, he has spent most of his time living in Ho Chi Minh Cityand continued putting paintbrush to paper. He has exhibited his worksin Ho Chi Minh City several times and created good impression in theheart of artfanciers.Paintings by Lam Triet resemble an interminable gala of hues. Evenwhen viewed from afar or for a short while, they are all charming.Every color patch, trail and spot in his paintings, either in bright or darkshades, sparkles and is as variable as a diamond in the sunlight,resembling the colorful world of a kaleidoscope.Between 1990 and 1993, many people thought that Lam triet’s paintingwas an attempt to feel the pulse of the world, accompanying the deeprhythms of the universe. However, it was perhaps a mistakenconception. Lam Triet’s works during this time did not conceal anyrhythm or intrinsic vitality. Though his paintings were then chockfullof detail, their colors were sparkling, dreamy and tranquil. The outlinesof his paintings at that time either concentrated on heavy-lookingdiamond inlay forms in a motionless space or contained vague colors ofthe rainbow. The reality in front of him and in his heart seemed to standmotionless, while only soft, affectionate, fascinated or passinatefeelings were brilliantly displayed. So to speak, his paintings at thattime revealed feelings.In recent years, his painting is more composed and profound. Darkshades which look like the remaining indispensable part of existenceare dominant; time and space have become indentical. His abstractpainting has moved closer to the end of reality-the truth in his heart,where his feelings are mixed with and affect each other, including deepsadness, worries, hopes and desires and quietly cherished happiness.His painting language has therefore become more distilled.. The brightcolors depicting overwhelming happiness in his past works have beenreplaced with a revolving reality filled with a great deal ofcontradiction. His paintings, either expanding or concentrated, eitherimmense, grandiose or small and beautiful, often contain a certain kindof energy, strenght or a flow of vitality.As said earlier, Lam Triet’s painting is an endless gala of colors.However, if in the past it comprised ony separated joy ful experiences,it now accompanies the rhythms of life, and “the universe of his heart”.And art-lovers will soon understand his initial inspiration and will thenbe ready to sympathize with his work.