"Remembering Curator Shireen Narizee": When Love of Art Heals Distance

"Although the dust of time has obscured all images and memories, they are hidden in the chaotic overlapping of each person's emotions. But when gently brushing away that layer of dust, everything still seems to be alive. A Shireen Naziree, a person who has devoted herself and worked wholeheartedly for contemporary Vietnamese art, seems to still be here somewhere, in her not-so-small legacy of a career", Ms. Nguyen Thu Hang, founder of Blue Gallery and organizer of the exhibition shared.

Shireen Naziree, born in 1947, is an independent curator and influential art researcher in Southeast Asia. She has been involved with Southeast Asian art for decades, tirelessly working for the development and international integration of art in this region, especially in the 90s of the 20th century and the early years of the 21st century until her sudden death in 2018.

In memory of the late curator Shireen, the idea of ​​organizing an exhibition that brought together artists who worked with Shireen was planned shortly after her death. After many difficulties, especially the prolonged pandemic, the exhibition was launched and displayed more than 40 paintings by 21 famous artists from Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam.

Specifically with the artists: Santi Thongsuk, U Lun Gywe, Jirapat Tatsanasomboon, Aung Kyaw Htet, Le Quang Ha, Duong Thuy Duong, Nguyen Quang Huy, Nguyen Trung, Pham An Hai, Dinh Quan, Thanh Chuong, Trinh Tuan, Cong Kim Hoa, Pham Luan Dao Hai Phong, Van Duong Thanh, Nguyen Thi Chau Giang, Dinh Y Nhi, Ha Tri Hieu, Hong Viet Dung, Dang Xuan Hoa, Pham Luan. The exhibition is organized by Blue Gallery, co-advised by Thavivu Gallery (Thailand).

These are the artists that Shireen has more or less accompanied and introduced to in the early stages, including Thai and Myanmar artists. Among them, two Thai artists, Jirapat Tatsanasomboon, Santi Thongsuk, and two famous Myanmar artists, Aung Kyaw Htet, U Lun Gywe, have now become important contemporary artists of these countries.

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For Vietnamese artists, this exhibition is not only a reminiscence of the early works of the reform period to remember curator Shireen, but also displays the latest works of the authors who were highly appreciated by her. This also shows that Shireen is a curator with a “green eye”, not only helping to discover but also contributing to the development of painting talents at that time. As time goes by, these artists continue to make strong contributions to the development of Southeast Asian fine arts.

At the opening ceremony of the exhibition, Mr. Phan Cam Thuong - Chairman of the Art Criticism Council, Vietnam Fine Arts Association also said: "Foreign researchers and critics are very different from those in Vietnam. They are interested in politics and society and frankly praise and criticize, creating a different perspective. Southeast Asian art is developing, the role of critics is increasingly important. People like Ms. Shireen Narizee are truly worthy of respect for their great contributions to Vietnamese painting in particular and Southeast Asian painting in general."

Shireen Naziree served two terms as a member of the Arts Council of the National Museum of Malaysia and is a permanent curator at Gallery Petronas in Kuala Lumpur. Her work as an internationally practicing curator has brought her into close contact with many of the leading artists and most prestigious names in Southeast Asian art, as well as interacting with art institutions in Europe. Her writings on art practices ranging from traditional to contemporary art – with a particular focus on Malaysia, Myanmar and Vietnam – have served as a bridge to bring the art of these countries and Southeast Asian art to the world.

The exhibition "Celebrating The Curator Shireen Naziree" takes place from July 23 - July 29, 2024 at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hanoi.

Phuong Thao is the Editor of Travellive Magazine. She is passionate about traveling and loves to capture moments with her camera in every land she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are her favorite writing topics.

Article and photos: Phuong Thao