The exhibition is entitled “Transformation”, introducing 55 of the latest artworks by this Vietnamese Australian artist.

These works include both traditional and semi-abstract portraits. While traditional portraits describe secret thoughts of characters, semi-abstract works show hasten moves of modern life.

Huynh Boi Tran, the exhibition’s curator said Khue’s artworks expresses human’s vulnerability and fragility yet praises the boundless energy of life. “His works are mesmerizing for its lines, forms and their passion”, Tran commented.

Women in Khue’s paintings are very sweet and feminine while men are very manly. Characters in Khue’s nude paintings are beautiful.

“I want to make a cultural exchange between Australian painting, where I studied and live, and Vietnamese painting, my home country. The exhibition is like a report with my parents, friends and others about what I have achieved all these 23 years,” Khue said.

The painter also introduces his book “Graphic Today”. This is the collection of his graphic works in the last two years. Many of them won art prizes in Australia.

Nguyen Huy Khue was a student of the HCM City Fine Art University in 1978-1983. He studied in Australia and got a bachelor of fine art and graphic design diploma at Monash University in 1993. He has been living in Australia since then.

Last year, his painting entered the final round of Archibald, a prestigious 90-year portrait award in Australia. Khue has become the first Vietnamese who entered Archibald finale (with 37 artworks selected from nearly 800 entries).

“Transformation” is the first exhibition of Nguyen Huy Khue in Vietnam after 23 years living in Australia. The event is sponsored by the Australian Consulate General in Vietnam and the Melbourne Council. It will close on October 27.

Vo Tien