Ten Figures (Abstract Portraits)
Painting on paper • Dinh Y Nhi (Vietnamese, b. 1967)
Style & Movement
Contemporary Vietnamese Art / Neo-Expressionism
Medium & Technique
Gouache and ink on Do paper (traditional Vietnamese handmade paper). Features expressive brushwork and gestural line-work.
Creation Period
Circa 1990s - early 2000s
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 40 x 50 cm; Landscape format
Subject Description
The composition features two rows of five abstracted, oval-shaped heads or figures. The top row is set against a wash of pink and purple, while the bottom row is on a lighter background. Each figure is marked with a bold black 'X' or cross-like stroke beneath it, suggesting a sense of numbering, anonymity, or perhaps a commentary on social uniformity.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The paper shows natural undulation characteristic of Do paper.
Estimated Market Value
USD 2,000 - 3,500
Auction Estimate
USD 1,500 - 2,500
Provenance History
Likely acquired from a gallery in Hanoi or through a private collection of contemporary Vietnamese art. Signature 'Y Nhi' visible at bottom center.
Art Historical Significance
Dinh Y Nhi is a significant figure in the 'Gang of Five' era of Vietnamese art, known for breaking away from the romanticized socialist realism of the past. Her work often utilizes a restricted palette (primarily black and white) to explore themes of isolation and the human condition, making this colored piece a notable variation in her oeuvre.
Notable Features
Features the artist's characteristic 'stick figure' or 'skeletal' motif. The use of traditional Do paper grounds the contemporary expressionist style in Vietnamese materiality.
Condition Issues
Minor creasing and waves in the paper support, likely due to moisture sensitivity of the traditional paper; slight fading of the pink pigments may be present.
Conservation Recommendations
Mount using acid-free, reversible archival hinges. Display under UV-protective glass and avoid direct sunlight to prevent further fading of the organic pigments.
Collector Notes
By dinh y nhi a Vietnamese artist