Dang Mau Tuu
Artist Đặng Mậu Tựu
1. Outline artist biography and art.
He was born in 1953 in Bình Định Province.
He studied Fine Arts in Huế by 1975 and got married then worked there. He used to have many careers, such as: teaching Fine Arts for children, doing cultural activities. Besides, he used to be the director of Huế’s House of Children, director of Huế City’s House of Children. Then he took over task in Fine Arts at Huế Central Fine Arts Association (He was the chairman, and now it called the chairman of Culture and Arts Union Association as well as the chairman of Huế Central Fine Arts Association). He has two children – his son is an architect and his daughter is junior at Huế Fine Arts University. He has drawn all his life but it doesn’t mean that he always has good Art-works. Drawing is one of his needs, and his family always support him to draw. He likes to enjoy good times with his friends but he knows when he must stop, and he always has high opinion of them though they have shortcoming sometimes.
1972: He graduated from the Fine Arts University in Huế City.
Exhibitions and Arts:
- 1973: Participated Exhibitions of the two artists in Quy Nhơn – Bình Định.
- 1980 – 1990: Participated in the International Fine Arts Exhibition.
- 1985: Participated in Group Exhibition in German Democratic Republic.
- 1992: Participated in Group Exhibition of four artists in Huế City.
- 1999: Took place his private Exhibition in Huế.
- Participated in Group Exhibition of the three artists in TET GALLERY-JAKARTA, INDONESIA.
- 2000: Group Exhibition of 7 artists in Media Hanoi which was taken place by the Switzerland Embassy in Vietnam.
- 2004: Group Exhibition with other two artists from Bình Định in HCM City and Quy Nhơn.
- 2006: Group Exhibition of four artists at Tự Do Gallery, HCM City.
- At each term of festival in Huế in 2002, 2004, 2006: Group Exhibition in Art Café – Như Huế River.
- Participated some Exhibitions held by the Vietnam Fine Arts Association and in almost Exhibitions in the area.
- From 1996 till now: He participated continuously in the common exhibitions of the Huế City Fine Arts Association held in Huế – Hanoi.
- 2011: Group exhibition with 3 artists from Huế at Phương Mai Gallery in November. Phan Thanh Bình – Đặng Mậu Tựu – Lê Nhường.
AWARDS:
- Got the B award of the White Lotus in Fine Arts – Arts and Culture Association in Bình Trị Thiên (1983-1987).
- Got the B award of the Arts and Culture of the Ancient Capital the first time in Thừa Thiên Huế Province in 1996 – Fine Arts Department.
- He was recompensed for the 4th area (1996) held by the Vietnamese Fine Arts Association.
- He was rewarded for his excellent art works in 1999-2001-2004 by the Union of Arts and Culture Association in Thừa Thiên Huế Province.
- Member of Hồ Chí Minh City Fine Arts Association.
- Art activities: He has many paintings in Private Collection and in various countries.
2. How did you become an artist? Talk about your start, what made you interested in art?
When I was a little boy, I liked my father’s paintings on the earthen wall. Then I earned my living with lacquer at random when I lived far from my family. I studied Fine Arts by myself until I studied at Fine Arts School, it became my “career”, which means I have to pursue it till the day I draw my last breath.
3. Your art works’ style?
I studied at my school and read a lot of books. I have many excellent, respectable teachers. I, however, didn’t follow anyone as I think that I can never be as good as them if I imitate them. Moreover, I have high spirit for my private hobby, and I want to express what I like. So that, my paintings are not alike any ones. They are mine even though they are beautiful or not. That’s why I’m still lonesome on my way. There are many people who don’t like my art work and people who has the same feeling with me.
4. What is your inspiration as well as your mentor or idol?
My inspirations are things which can arouse my feelings. Every people can become my consultants in field that they know how to draw it well. My idol is the Beauty, and it’s what I really want to reach.
5. What makes this artist different from others in Vietnam? What makes you different and special compared to others?
I’m not alike anyone.
6. How do you view Vietnam and the outside world?
Nowadays, Vietnam and the world are getting closer. In Fine Arts, there are many exclusive things only in Vietnam. Vietnamese economy has slowly been developing so we don’t have many good chances to do what we want.
7. What are your likes and dislikes?
I like everything, as long as they are not bad or harmful things to other people. And I also don’t like dishonest people.
8. Why do you utilize this medium or style?
This is just my step on Fine Art way and not yet my stop point, but I found that this material can meet my demand in transferring messages to the public, especially to whom love my paintings.
9. What are you trying to communicate in your art works? If you have a common message or ideology for all of your works, please state it.
Of course, when an artist creates an art-work, he will transfer what he is thinking (sorrow and joy, or qualmishness) into his paintings.
10. Is there any hidden meanings or any messages behind your art works? Is it something political or personal… or some other feelings or thoughts?
When a work is born, it’s not significant, it’s just an art-work. It always has a general ego looking at the subject. For this reason, it has everything and all of them belong to the artist.
11. What is your ideology and views on art?
Arts naturally mean finding the Beauty. You can find the Beauty by anything, any ways as long as it’s not amoral. As for existing limit, time and the history will judge. Once it’s an art-work, it must reach a certain value.
12. Who are you and why should people purchase and collect your art works?
I’m an artist – a person who draws paintings. A buyer has his own reason, they may buy the painting which they like or need. Sometimes, they are curious of both the artist and his works.
Phương Mai Gallery – Update 2011
