Born in Hanoi, Ha Tri Hieu (b.1959) graduated from Hanoi Industrial Fine Arts University in 1983. Together with Tran Luong, Pham Ouang Vinh, Hong Viet Dung and Dang Xuan Hoa, they are collectively known as the Hanoi ‘Gang of Five’. Hieu draws his inspiration from everyday life, cultural motifs and traditional art forms. He has participated in more than 15 exhibitions internationally, including two solo exhibitions in Vietnam.In this painting, Hieu is again seen with a cigarette in his hand. The head leans to the left in a gesture of lassitude. Elements such as the nose, ear, eye, mouth and a hand are clearly outlined, sharply distinguishing the figure from the background. The work hints of Cubism, especially in the face, but the brushstrokes are decidedly expressionist.
