Ta Thi Thanh Tam was born in 1960 and graduated from Hanoi Fine Art College in 1993.

 

As a child, Pham Thi Thanh Tam lived in the pastoral countryside for a short time; her innocent world coloured with ponds, wells, communal courtyards and ripe rice fields. She played with other children her age, sitting on the backs of buffalos, lounging under the moonlight and listening to the sounds of flute lavished by herders.

 

In search of inner serenity, Tam turns to her childhood memories for inspiration. Adopting a fairly minimalist style, her lacquer paintings see the subject placed on a two-dimensional background, rendered with bold lines and solid hues. The simplicity of her painting style reflects the clarity of the artist’s mind while expressing complex stories of her childhood.

 

No matter the subject, be it monks, rural children or buffalo herders, viewers will feel the warmth of the peaceful countryside and the genuine emotions of the villagers. The endearing expressions and plump bodies displayed in vibrant colours evoke a feeling of playfulness and light-heartedness.

 

She was afflicted with polio as a child and consequently endures paralysis because of it. Tam’s search for meaning gives depth to her work and her artistic passion provides a refuge for her heart and helps her overcome her challenges