Page 12 - The Enchanting Land

Le Thanh Son’s paintings
invoke the yearning to escape
to the land depicted therein, to
touch that floating veil of fog
and to take a deep breath of
that fresh air.

It has been a long pause since his 2007 solo exhibition in Dubai until now, that Son decides to, once again, reveal
this series as the selective representation of his creative works in those silent years to the public. Over two decades
of diligently working and searching for new conception, Son has always been a scrupulous, stringent and serious
artist in every single works.
I am fortunate to be one of the first spectators who could view the recent works of Le Thanh Son as a systematic
series. By viewing his paintings in person can one realize his style of expression and appreciate his creative power
and his aspiration to capture beauty. I recall the trips with him at home and abroad, to the mountainous or
coastal regions, when Son always took to sketching the moments of nature, whether it was sunny, rainy or foggy.
Then he sometimes turned to me and asked: Would this suffice for a painting?

Le Thanh Son’s paintings invoke the yearning to escape to the land depicted therein, to touch that floating veil of
fog and to take a deep breath of that fresh air.

The thin, transparent layers in red, pink and white oil colors applied with powerful dabs; the robust contrast
of various hues and tones; the prompt overlaying while the under layer is still fresh – altogether give out an
impression that the artist is playing with his material, letting loose his emotions and feelings. Witnessing Son
paints with a quick pace, high spontaneity, even frenzy at times, it occurs to me that he is longing to instantly
capture the impression that sparkles up in his mind, fearing that it would drift away before he could grasp. Nature
appears impressionistically in Le Thanh Son’s paintings of the sunny afternoons, rainy days, foggy evenings in the
remote uplands, and rain-splashed streets at night.

I am obliged to artist Le Thanh Son for the opportunity to introduce his latest works to the connoisseurs at
home and abroad through “The Enchanting Land” exhibition. I also wish to thanks fine art reseacrcher Ly Doi,
journalist Dao Mai Trang and all my colleagues for their assistance and encouragement that have enabled us to
complete this book.

Tran Thanh Ha
Founder Green Palm Gallery