If you could have a perfect day
The airs above the wide greenway
Sheer virgin blue with crystal sun?
If you could have a perfect day
To dream of when your life were done
Or would you have it April’s way?
Haphazard rain, haphazard sun.
(April Weather – Edith Franklin Wyatt)
The winds and showers of April bring abundant emotions, reminding people of the good old days. This April, the home for the daring – Fusion Original Saigon Centre, in collaboration with Lotus Gallery, is pleased to bring a collection of unique art displays and stories to be told.
Once upon a time, in Vietnamese feudal society, when the first name is only reserved for men, the word “thị” will be put after the woman’s last name to identify which household she belongs to. After she gets married, her name will be made up of her father’s last name, her husband’s last name, and the word ‘thị’ respectively (like Lý Trần thị, referring to a lady who belongs to the Lý family, now becomes the Trần family’s daughter-in-law).
Just like that, ‘madam addressing herself by “thị” has become a habit of naming for
many Vietnamese generations. In modern society nowadays, the word ‘thị’ gradually
becomes an uncommon pronoun, it seems to be a reminder of traditional practice and a bygone era.
Being a professional art practitioner since 2007, female painter Bao Hanh works on diverse topics varying from the landscape, still-life, and animals to people; from Kinh girls (Vietnamese main ethnicity) to Cham, Khmer, Hmong, and Bana who belong to the minority. However, the image of the “thị” seems to always attract attention and is somewhat more prominent than the rest. This figure of choice has created a personal identity whenever the name Bao Hanh is mentioned.
“Thị” (Her) exhibition will present 15 of Bao Hanh artworks from the 2008 – 2018 decade, aiming to demonstrate the artist’s thoughts on femineity, her definition of the word “thị”, and the evolution of Bao Hanh’s iconic standing still women. The exhibition is held from April 25, 2023 to July 5, 2023 within the framework of activities to celebrate the Vietnam Reunification holiday season in Ho Chi Minh City this year.
Australian Hospitality Alumni Network Vietnam 