Draft:Quang Chu (Artist)

Chu Nhat Quang, born in 1995 in Hanoi, Vietnam, is a lacquer artist. His artistic style is a blend of tradition and modernity, creating works that preserve long-standing cultural values while embodying the spirit of the new era.

Biography

Chu Nhat Quang was born into a renowned artistic family. His grandfather, People's Artist Chu Manh Chan, made significant contributions to preserving and developing Vietnamese lacquer art. His father, Meritorious Artist Chu Luong, was the former Director of the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre and dedicated his life to the traditional art of water puppetry. Growing up in this artistic environment, Quang was nurtured with passion and creativity from a young age.

Education

Chu Nhat Quang spent 7 years studying at Santa Ana College in the USA and graduated with a bachelor's degree from RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, majoring in Painting and Applied Design. During his time abroad, he had the opportunity to experience Western culture and modern art trends. Despite these influences, he maintained a strong love and pride for Vietnamese culture, particularly traditional lacquer art. His time spent studying and researching abroad broadened his perspective and enriched his artistic thinking, enabling him to seamlessly blend tradition and modernity in his works.

Exhibitions

• His debut exhibition, “Sacred Mark,” was held on October 5, 2024, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of the Capital at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel.
• The exhibition showcased 52 large-scale lacquer works by the young artist, divided into four themes focusing on the Imperial Citadel, homeland landscapes, and national heritage.

Critiques from Experts

• Poet Nguyen Quang Thieu: “Chu Nhat Quang is not even 30 years old, but I see an extraordinary calmness in him. Passion and calmness will be the great energy that propels him forward. His life is still long, and the creativity within him is boundless. Learn everything and know how to forget it all. Listen to what resonates from within your soul!” - August 2024
• Painter Thanh Chuong: “Chu Nhat Quang is a relatively new name in the Vietnamese art scene, but to me, what he has done will make a significant impact. His works not only capture the hearts of art lovers but are certain to receive high praise from experts. The spirit of Vietnam soars in his traditional lacquer paintings.”
• Historian Duong Trung Quoc: “The artistic bloodline deeply rooted in his family's historical traditions, combined with the advanced art education he absorbed, led Chu Nhat Quang to pursue a career in lacquer art. At an age close to ‘standing firm at thirty,’ he spent over 6 years studying at an art school in the USA, followed by 3 years studying applied design in Australia before returning home. Only then did he truly embark on the path of a professional artist. He chose a path infused with the ‘aromatic’ essence he felt since childhood from his family's traditions.”