Meet Vietnamese painter, Le Thuy.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m Le Thuy, I’m a painter. I use silk as the main medium for my artistic creation.

Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.

I live in Hanoi, an ancient city with a long history. Each passing dynasty left their marks on the aesthetics, architecture, sculpture … but these edifices were not preserved but devastated by people, war and time. Right now, urban development is turning Hanoi into chaos. High-rise buildings with bustling streets are interspersed with old quarters with layered with the solemnity of time. The new and the old are intertwined. Sometimes ancient buildings are destroyed to make way for new buildings. Development without a master plan is making Hanoi ugly and far removed from the glories of the past.

What I like about living here: Although Hanoi is a chaotic, bustling city, history gifts Hanoi its own characteristics. There is a calmness and quiet ambiance, for me to be still and feel.

Although Hanoi is a chaotic, bustling city, history gifts Hanoi its own characteristics. There is a calmness and quiet ambiance, for me to be still and feel.

What is the best and worst thing about living in your city?

The best thing about living in my city is having a thriving arts environment with interesting artists to meet and socialize with. The worst things in Hanoi are traffic congestion and pollution.

Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.

Noisy, messy, and elegant.

How did you start your career in art?

I studied art at Vietnam Fine Arts University, course 2008-2013. This is about the time that I began to immerse myself in art.

Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?

My mother and husband are wonderful people who always support me in this career choice.

What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?

My goal is to create works of value and to establish my name in the art world, at home, and abroad.

My goal is to create works of value and to establish my name in the art world, at home, and abroad.

If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?

If I can collaborate with anyone in the world, I would like to work with the artist Sanyu. This is a French artist, of Chinese descent. I get so much inspiration from viewing his works. I want to learn how he looks at beauty, how to blend traditional cultural values, through the modern senses of the artist, to create personal philosophies and through which we can identify the difference between Sanyu and the other artists.

How would you describe the women around you?

In previous generations, the women always suffered, bear the burden and sacrificed for the family.

In my generation, they are independent, brave, confident and live their true selves.

In my generation, they are independent, brave, confident and live their true selves.

Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?

The woman in the creative field that I admire most is Le Thi Luu. She influenced my choice in composition. She showed me a sincerity and love in each work. Her works are somewhat impressionism but with the sensibilities of the Eastern artist. She chose topics in the mundane, such as drawing about mother and child, sisters … but her works always leave a strong impression.

Are there any challenging aspects of being a female in your industry?

Women always face more obstacles in the world and the woman in art is no exception. If you want to be recognized you have to work hard. In my opinion, a woman creative face many obstacles and challenges. For example: according to the Orient’s viewpoint, a woman should only be concerned with household chores and family. The standard for a woman is a Confucian model for a woman: merit, beauty, speech, and conduct. They are not expected to think or be different. But an artist tends to be different, must be different to be outside of the societal mold.

Fair judgment at work: The women’s merit is often underestimated. Or gets priority, even when their works are not up to standard but because they are women, they will be given priority. Or being belittled, and not recognizing the work they created even though their works surpassed others. There are also many challenges in everyday life

Women always face more obstacles in the world and the woman in art is no exception.

Do you have any advice to young women who are aspiring to work in your field?

My advice is: to love, to be passionate, and freely do what you like.

Photos courtesy of Le Thuy.