The Artist

1972 Nam Dinh Vietnam

Tran Hoang Son was born in Nam Dinh province in 1972. The good standing of his family left his childhood free of hardship, allowing Son the time and energy to explore the more philosophical side of life. From 1991–1996 he studied traditional lacquer techniques at the Vietnam Fine Art University in Hanoi, returning in 2000 to teach. A thoughtful introspective man, Son continues to work at the college, taking great joy in passing down the intricate art of lacquer work. His majoring in lacquer painting and long years working with this medium have helped him get ahold of its multi-dimensional aspects, its richness in expressivity as well as the exhaustive knowledge of the most ancient lacquer skills.

For many years Son has frequented communal houses, shrines and pagodas to contemplate Buddha statues, to reprint Buddhist scriptures, instilling himself with the spirit of Buddhism and to let this spirit gradually permeate into his golden lacquer paintings. His work centers on themes of familial relationships and obligations, Buddhism and an existential life.

His work has been exhibited in Viet Nam, China, Germany, Sweden and the United States.

Portrait 26 2010
is a beautifully rendered work of natural color on Do paper, mounted on canvas of good friend, artist and fellow Buddhist scholar, Le Quoc Viet. These two artists were the first exhibition of the Art Vietnam Gallery which opened in Hanoi in 2002, entitled “The Light of the Spirit”.
Son beautifully captures the impish, playful and yet serious artist baring his black lacquered teeth with a sense of respect and affection.

Reincarnation 2004
A beautifully executed work in lacquer treating Buddhism in a contemporary style which was very progressive at this time in Vietnam.