Tuan Vu's 'Annam' at Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery Explores Memory and Colonial History
Self-taught artist Tuan Vu, originally from Ho Chi Minh City and now based in Quebec, presents his solo exhibition 'Annam' at Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery in Berlin, on view through May 30, 2026. The show's title references the colonial name for Vietnam during Chinese and French rule, a term meaning 'pacified South' that Vu uses to explore distance and the interpretive nature of memory. Works like 'Tranquil South' (2026) juxtapose serene imagery with historical pain, while 'A Usual Day' (2026) depicts a fantastical interior with a panther symbolizing freedom. 'The Official Portrait' (2026) layers figures including a queen, an Odalisque inspired by Mai Trung Thu, and a Buddha, blending Western and Eastern traditions. Vu's focus shifts from landscapes to figuration, weaving personal memory, cultural history, and painting processes.
Key facts
- Tuan Vu is a self-taught artist originally from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
- He relocated to Quebec, Canada, for studies and currently resides there.
- The solo exhibition 'Tuan Vu: Annam' is at Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Berlin.
- The show runs through May 30, 2026.
- 'Annam' was the colonial name for Vietnam during Chinese and French periods.
- The term translates to 'pacified South.'
- Key works include 'Tranquil South' (2026), 'A Usual Day' (2026), and 'The Official Portrait' (2026).
- 'The Official Portrait' references Mai Trung Thu and Neoclassical artists like Ingres.
Entities
Artists
- Tuan Vu
- Mai Trung Thu
- Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres
Institutions
- Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery
Locations
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Vietnam
- Quebec
- Canada
- Berlin
- Germany