HCMC allows artist of ‘unlicensed exhibition’ to retain paintings

The inspection team concluded that all of the paintings did not violate Vietnam’s customs and morals, or contain any content that contradicted the Party and State’s cultural and artistic lines.

After paying an administrative fine of VND25 million ($1,062) for violating cultural and advertising regulations, the artist was allowed to keep all his paintings.

The painter has acknowledged his mistakes and pledged not to repeat the violation.

He also expressed his gratitude to the authorities for handling the situation in a reasonable and flexible manner, allowing him to keep his work.

“Some collectors have offered to buy my paintings in the past, but I couldn’t sell them because they were subject to be destroyed.

“I’m relieved that I can now keep my paintings,” he said.

Bui Quang Vien’s artworks after being taken down in HCMC. Photo by VnExpress/Mai Nhat

Previously, the exhibition displaying a series of abstract works created by Vien took place from July 15-30 in HCMC, attracting hundreds of art lovers.

The HCMC People’s Committee administratively sanctioned Vien for organizing the exhibition “Improvisation” without seeking a license first, issuing him a VND25 million fine and ordering him to destroy 29 paintings.

Pham Van Dung, chief inspector of the HCMC Department of Culture and Sports, the unit advising the local People’s Committee, later said the regulation on forcing the destruction of paintings for an unlicensed exhibition is not appropriate for today’s context of artistic creativity.

Bui Quang Vien was born in 1979 in Bien Hoa Town, southern Dong Nai Province. He entered the painting profession in 2002. After a while, he stopped drawing to pursue poetry, taking the stage name Bui Chat. He later returned to drawing in 2019.