1948 – 2002
Born in Hue, a descendent of the last Vietnamese Emperor, Buu Chi was an extremely talented self-taught artist.
He graduated from Hue School of Law in 1971, but was imprisoned a year later by the South Vietnamese Government for his leadership of the anti-government student movement and anti-war activities.
Prior to his imprisonment, his drawings depicting the horrors of war had been published by the Union of Student Authors, and in overseas Vietnamese publications in France, Germany and Canada.
He continued to draw whilst in prison, using whatever materials he could find – matches, cigarette boxes and papers, bamboo sticks, pencils – and his work was smuggled out, appearing in anti-war publications in North America and Europe.
Buu Chi struggled throughout his life for social change in the face of isolation and the horror of war. His work, influenced by Giacometti and Dali (although he regarded every artist has his inspiration), documents the absurdity of human existence and is a unique record of his ideas and philosophies.
His early graphic work is in the collection of Boston University Library, and his paintings are in the collection of the Vietnamese Fine Arts Association and private collections worldwide.
Exhibitions
1997 – 2002 Various joint exhibitions with other well-known artists including Dinh Cuong & Hoang Dang Nhuan in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
1995 lnvited to participate in exhibition entitled ”The right to hope” of UNO with other artists from 47 countries of the world.
1994 One-man show in Hong Kong.
1989 Co-exhibitíon with artist Hoang Dang Nhuan in Hue.
1988 One-man show in Paris.
1987 Exhibition with artist Hoang Dang Nhuan in Ha Noi.
1986 Exhibition in formerly USSR.