Famed Japanese artist stages exhibition in Viet Nam

From VietNamNet Bridge

Paintings featuring the unique feathery expression of famous Japanese artist Iwasaki Chihiro have gone on display at an exhibition in Ha Noi.

Down with the kids: Girl Holding Gerberas (left) and Children Playing Instruments are among Iwasaki Chihiro‘s artworks on show.

Hosted by the Japan Foundation Centre for Cultural Exchange in Viet Nam, the exhibition Iwasaki Chihiro and Vietnam showcases 40 of her most-prized artworks, 32 of which are being seen in Viet Nam for the first time.

Chihiro (1918-74) is one of the most beloved Japanese artists/illustrators in the world, celebrated for her unique ethereal aura combining Eastern Indian-ink painting and a Western water colour painting.

The warm-hearted artist had great affection for children, who were to become the major inspiration for her paintings.

Chihiro believed she could distinguish a 10-month-old baby and a one-year-old baby skillfully in her paintings and could draw the posture of any child without a model.

One exhibition visitor, who had her son in tow, said: “The paintings are lovely and all the children featured in the paintings are very cute – highly animated and deeply expressive.”

Her 10-year-old boy was very excited to enjoy a “discovery” through the paintings.

“Through seeing a painting at the exhibition, I now know that children in Japan also celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival like me and my friends do in Viet Nam,” the fifth-grade boy said.

Alongside paintings about children, the show also consists of artworks depicting flowers – another of Chihiro’s favourite inspirations.

Read the full article from VietNamNet Bridge.