The Folk in Gen Z exhibition at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi attracts many people and foreign tourists to enjoy paintings by young artists inspired by folk canvases.

The exhibition is jointly organized by the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities of Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam and the creative enterprise TiredCity to promote the beauty of ancient folk culture while celebrating the contributions of young illustrators in preserving national cultural identity.

The exhibition is organized by the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities of Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam in conjunction with the creative company TiredCity. Photo: Hanoi.gov.vn

Even today, the non-material life of Vietnamese people continues to support and nurture the sustainable growth of folk culture. Under the influence of new artists, folk culture is now undergoing another transformation. It is masterfully blended with stories from the modern era with its smooth adaptations.

The exhibition showcases nearly 40 illustration works with a variety of themes from painting and performing arts to literature. Unique illustration works with modern artistic language skillfully convey and honor the beauty of Vietnamese folk culture, such as Dong Ho paintings, hat boi (southern classical drama), and children's songs associated with generations.

According to Le Xuan Kieu, Director of the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities of Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam, the exhibited works show the vitality of national culture as an eternal source. The exhibition epitomizes the continuation and development of national culture, enhancing the value of heritage through each generation and contributing to enriching the beauty of Vietnamese culture.

"We hope that the Temple of Literature will not only be an important historical-cultural relic but also a creative cultural center close to young people. Hopefully, this space will facilitate the continuous development of cultural activities and make an important contribution to raising public awareness of art and creativity," Kieu added.

The exhibition combines traditional art with the creations of young people. Photo: Hanoi.gov.vn

According to Bui Ngoc Xuan, curator of the exhibition, the young painters' inspiration comes from their childhood, as they were exposed to many folk songs and stories.

"Through the exhibition, we hope to help people access folk culture more easily and understand it better through extremely new and modern expressions," she said.

Among the painters whose works are included in the exhibition is Pao from the central province of Thua Thien Hue. He was exposed to a variety of cultures from an early age. From nursery rhymes to Vietnamese folk toys to mother goddess worship, the artist has created numerous illustrations that, combined with his signature soft brushstrokes, open up a unique and modern cultural world. He is also actively translating his work into English to bring the beauty of Vietnamese culture to viewers around the world.  

A painting by Pao.

For Meaptopia, a Hanoi-born artist now living in Boston, life provides a vast treasure trove of inspiration, from pho (noodle soup) and banh mi (Vietnamese baguette) to the awkwardness of people sitting in traffic. The artist has skillfully rendered these inspirations in a traditional style, creating humorous images steeped in Vietnamese culture.

The painting exhibition is open until July 31 at the Temple of Literature, Hanoi.