"The Scent of Green Papaya" An exhibition of oil paintings by Le Quan and Nguyen Dieu Thuy, Starting Wednesday, 20 June 2001

Zee Stone Gallery is proud to present the first exhibition in Hong Kong of oil paintings by Le Quan and Nguyen Dieu Thuy, two emerging artists from Vietnam.

The exhibition will feature a selection of works in the artists' contrasting styles: Le Quan's street scenes of Hanoi in the vibrant colours of seasonal transition alongside the subdued figurative works and still lifes of Nguyen Dieu Thuy in white and neutral colours.

Vietnamese contemporary art has become increasingly popular during the last decade, and deservedly so. Whilst a Western influence is both obvious and pronounced, Vietnamese art is a refreshing expression of exuberance and vitality.

We believe that the work of Le Quan and Nguyen Dieu Thuy represents an escalating maturity and confidence in the Vietnamese contemporary art scene.

Well painted, with close attention to line, composition and colour, their paintings achieve a pleasing blend of the European painting tradition and Vietnamese sensibility.

Le Quan employs vigorous brushwork and saturated colour to depict the play of sunlight on the tree-lined streets and decaying colonial buildings of old Hanoi.

Born in Hanoi in 1953, Le Quan graduated from Hanoi Fine Arts College in 1973 and from Hanoi Fine Arts University in 1982. As well as painting, he boasts a distinguished career in theatre design, having been the Chief Designer for Vietnam Song, Music and Dance Theatre since 1980. Le Quan has exhibited his works in selected locations across Asia since 1980.

Nguyen Dieu Thuy paintings encompass a wide range of subject matter: traditionally dressed young women in reflective poses, semi-abstract compositions of symmetrically arranged rice bowls and waterside scenes. Her works shimmer with a dream-like sense of motion; the combination of a subdued palette of white and earth tones with an accurate line captures the grace and poise of the Vietnamese aesthetic. Nguyen Dieu Thuy was born in Ho Chi Minh City in 1962. After graduating from the Conservatoire de Musique there as a violinist, she embarked on her painting career in 1991. Her work has since been included in several exhibitions in Asia, Europe and North America.

Both artists will be present in Hong Kong for the exhibition opening on 20 June 2001 starting at 6:00pm.