Pop artist ‘collects pieces of memory’

“Marilyn Monroe” is one of 36 acrylic works painted by artist Nguyen Thu Thuy, displayed in “Ghep Ky Uc” (rough translation: Collecting Pieces of Memory) at Vietnam Art Museum from Dec. 17 to 23. Thuy said that in painting, renewing classic works is called art reincarnation.
“I’ve always wanted to explore and experiment with new styles. As a painter, university lecturer, scientist, backpacker, a wife and mother, I divide my life into phases to discover my potential and experience the world. Now, I’m ‘collecting my pieces of memory’ with polygon pieces and colors. The exhibition is my process of finding me, expressing my style through art,” she said.
Pop art is an art movement that emerged during the mid- to late-1950s. The movement presented a challenge to traditions of fine art by including imagery from popular and mass culture, like advertising, comic books and mundane mass-produced objects.

Marilyn Monroe in different colors. Thuy created five paintings of the legendary actresses, with each revealing different shades.
“With the influence of pop art, each of my works brings out different emotional states, expressed by different colors,” she said.

A colorful “Mona Lisa” rendering.

Thuy drew Frida Kahlo – a famous Mexican painter, also her idol. Kahlo (1907-1954) had bushy, interconnected eyebrows and a mustache. She is known for her self-portraits that reflect her tragedies. Out of a total of her 143 works, there are 55 paintings of herself.

Thuy refreshes the famous “Girl with a Pearl Earring” painting – an oil painting by Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer – with mosaics and kaleidoscope pieces.

“Nang Biec” (Blue Woman) by Thuy. According to Luong Xuan Doan, president of Vietnam Fine Arts Association, the image of women in Thuy’s paintings is special as she uses cuboids without losing the softness of the figure.

In addition to drawing classic and famous characters, the artist also depicts women in different emotional states.
Thuy said on average each painting takes her a few days to make.

“Muon Phien” (Melancholy) depicts Thuy’s emotions. Thuy, 44, is a member of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association. Her artworks have been exhibited at many worldwide events.