The woman is gentle and serene, yet vibrant, in the "Thi" Exhibition.

Born and raised in Hue, stories of the royal family and a bygone era of history have long been an integral part of Bao Hanh's being. Perhaps that's why the girls in court attire evoke a deeply nostalgic and endearing feeling. With soft, poetic colors and a focus on capturing every detail, the "Thi" (female figures) in the exhibition appear elegant, dignified, and possess a serene and gentle demeanor.

A DIRECT LOOK INTO THE INNER WORLD OF "THE WORLD"

The story goes that, in feudal Vietnamese society, where given names were usually reserved for men, the word "Thi" would be added after a woman's surname to identify which family she belonged to. Upon reaching marriageable age, her name would be formed by combining her father's and husband's surnames with the word "Thi" (as in Ly Tran Thi, meaning a woman originally from the Ly family who is now a daughter-in-law of the Tran family).

Thus, the practice of using the pronoun "Thi" (夫人) became a common naming convention for many generations. Today, as the word "Thi" is no longer a common pronoun in modern society, this way of addressing someone seems to evoke a bygone era, a reminder of what belongs to the traditional realm of the Vietnamese people.

It can be said that Hanh has always faithfully pursued the Primitivism school of art in her paintings of women. With this style of depiction, the artist mainly focuses on portraying the contrast between the static state of the character's body movement and the sparkling, lively eyes – like windows to look into the constantly moving inner world. The female artist focuses on depicting these 'windows to the soul,' through which the thoughts, inner feelings, and temperament of women are expressed.

It's a gentle gaze concealing hidden sorrow, a resolute look, an affectionate gaze mixed with a touch of firmness, eyes radiating ultimate pride, or an innocence and eagerness for new things. These nuances of the eyes seem to silently communicate with the viewer, allowing them to somehow empathize with the feelings of the characters in Hanh's paintings—girls with somewhat complex inner lives.

In contrast to their lively eyes, the "Ladies" possess an unusually serene demeanor. Their posture and hand positions exude the gentleness and dignity of women. Despite the harmonious use of color, the contrast is clearly evident in their eyes and their thoughtful expressions. At first glance, viewers can easily perceive the meekness and grace of these girls. But behind this meekness lies an unwavering integrity and steadfastness, having overcome many hardships to find peace for themselves.

Hue's traditional Ao Dai harmoniously embodies the proud beauty of women.

The culture of Hue is subtly showcased through the meticulous details and refined craftsmanship in the artworks of female painter Bao Hanh. While not explicitly identifying the artworks, viewers can recognize distinctly "Hue" characteristics in the pieces featured in this exhibition.

This is first and foremost reflected in the similar clothing styles depicted in the exhibition's paintings. The female artists portray the "Thi" (Ladies) in traditional Hue imperial ao dai (long dresses). Despite the passage of time, the ao dai of the ancient capital retains its modesty and grace, exuding the aura of Hue women in their gait, manners, speech, and behavior. Hue women are meticulously and strictly taught, even rigorously, the virtues of diligence, beauty, speech, and conduct.

Upon closer examination of the traditional ao dai worn by the people of Hue in those times, one can see that it was an elaborate work of art created by skilled tailors. Every stitch was meticulously sewn and embroidered, and the placement of the buttons also demonstrated the talent of the ao dai "artisan." The value of each ao dai lay in the harmonious combination of colors and the philosophical ideas expressed within the garment.

While tailors use needles and threads to create unique designs in each garment, artists use lines and colors to recreate this beauty through paintings. A prime example among the ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) in this exhibition is the five-panel ao dai. This dress, closely associated with the everyday life of the people of Hue, is vividly and impressively depicted on the figures of "Thi" (a type of woman) through the skillful hands of female artist Phan Le Bao Hanh.

The appearance of the "Thi" (female attendants) is meticulously crafted, down to the accessories accompanying their attire. If you look closely, you'll see sparkling gems appearing in almost all the paintings. From hairpins adorned with gems, gem earrings, gem bracelets, or a single gem placed on the woman's hand. Gems symbolize nobility and elegance. The girls are not only graceful in their Hue court attire, but also luxurious in their impressive gem jewelry and accessories.

Despite their dignified, elegant, and proud demeanor, women in the past, even those living under strict social norms, still faced societal prejudices. Women, both in the past and present, remain subject to unwanted influences and negative influences. When the rain falls, it washes away all the prejudices and slander of society, restoring purity, integrity, and gentleness to these women.

The musical segment, with lyrics sung by young singer Tinee, brought the exhibition to a close:

"In the old days, if you said one thing, you wouldn't dare say two."

I wouldn't dare to be wrong about social prejudices.

Love is not something you can bring upon yourself.

"The three obediences and four virtues are carried on my shoulders..."

Some images from the exhibition "Thi" (Her):

Practicing fine arts since 2007, female artist Bao Hanh creates works with diverse themes. From landscapes, still lifes, animals, and people, from Kinh girls to Cham, Khmer, H'mong, and Bana girls. However, images of "female figures" always attract attention and stand out more than other subjects. This is also the image that helps Hanh leave her personal mark whenever the name Bao Hanh is mentioned by art enthusiasts.

Bi Le