“Vẽ gì cũng là tự họa" - literally means Whatever you paint, it is always a self-portrait, is the title of a book by writer, artist Trịnh Lữ. It is also the theme for this year’s AbyA—the annual art exhibition dedicated exclusively to architects. However, do not rush to imagine an exhibition filled with conventional portraits.
When facing a withered flower, why does one person see the beauty of devotion, while another sees liberation? Why does one mourn its fragile decay, while another recognizes the impermanence of this transient world?
Objects do not possess a fixed meaning. A single blossom, a face, or an everyday scene—from the moment it is observed to the moment it manifests on canvas—has traveled through the "lens" of the artist's worldview.
That lens is shaped by personal experiences, attitudes toward life, and each individual's unique emotional frequency. Some lenses are sharp and fierce; others are vague, tender, and deeply empathetic. Therefore, painting has never been a mere replication of reality. What we see is reality refracted—the spiritual imprint of the one holding the brush.
In the context of AbyA, what will we witness when architects step away from blueprints and enter the realm of painting, where functions and structural constraints no longer exist? Lotus believes this will be a fascinating intersection of diverse lenses, each with its own distance, hue, and focal point. Yet, no matter what is painted, isn't it ultimately an encounter between "the self" and "oneself"?
The registration link is now open. Lotus looks forward to welcoming the artworks of all architects.
Exhibition Information:
Registration Link: https://shorturl.at/whQPC
Open Call Period: May 17 – June 17
Artwork Submission Period: June 19 – June 20
Tentative Exhibition Dates: June 27 – July 15
Contact Information:
Tel: 0346 986 368 (Lotus Gallery Hotline)
Email: artguide@lotusgallery.vn"