The exhibition features 20 paintings made of lacquer o­n wood, presenting his world of creativeness, rawness and simplicity. The works were all made during the last five years.

The most striking works are Viet Birds depicting Vietnam’s culture which is developing and flying high, the Seed of Heritage expresses the cultural heritage of the nation which has awakened after many years in the wilderness or The Arhats Dancing which is the result of a practical journey to Tay Phuong Pagoda in Hanoi. Meanwhile A Market Full of Flowers is a typical metaphor about the bustling year-end atmosphere in Hanoi with many flowers scattered around the city as the people prepare to welcome the new year and say goodbye to the old.

As the first artist researching and using lead, giving o­ne more color to the poor color palettes of lacquer which inherently has four basic colors of white black, white, red and yellow. “The mission of an artist is creativity, research and being brave enough to make something new,” said Thang.

The exhibition, at 53 Ho Tung Mau Street in HCMC’s District 1, runs until July 30.