About the artwork
Beginning his career as a social realist, Van Tho often combines traditional and modern painting aesthetics to depict solemn and figurative subjects. In 'Winter', paint is applied thickly, sculpting the man's weathered facial features. Instead of brushes, Van often works with a trowel, placing cool and warm colours side by side to create visual contrast. The bright yellow hues also evoke a feeling of warmth amidst the chilly winter setting.
About the artist
Van Tho was born in 1938 in Ha Nam Province, Vietnam. He graduated from the Hanoi Fine Arts University, and is a member of the Vietnamese Fine Arts Association and the Hanoi Arts Association. Notable for his large-scale lacquer and oil paintings, Van Tho combines traditional and modern painting styles, employing line, shape, bold contrasting colours and abstract forms. He foregoes brushes and instead uses a trowel to paint. Starting out as a social realist, his works retell tradition and often depict human figures in solemn places.