Tuan Vu was born in Saigon, Vietnam, and is currently based in Quebec. A self-taught artist, Vu's creative practice spans drawing, painting, and photography, with a particular emphasis on exploring colour to convey emotions and narratives. His work often features women within vibrant tropical landscapes, drawing inspiration from the Parisian artist group Les Nabis as well as the flattened planes of traditional woodblock Japanese prints. Vu employs a unique process of layering colour directly on canvas, creating dreamlike compositions filled with rich textures and intriguing patterns. His art invites viewers into mystical worlds where beauty and imperfection coexist, aiming to evoke joy and a sense of peace amid life’s challenges.
Solo exhibitions include (Upcoming) Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, West Palm Beach, Florida (2025); (Upcoming) Art Singapore, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Singapore (2025); Elysium, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London, UK (2024); Imaginary Gardens – Duran Mashaal Gallery, Montreal, Canada; Solstice Haze, Simard Bilodeau Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, US (2023); Hedonistic Drams – Painting, Institut National Art Contemporain Montreal, Canada; Endless Sumer – LivART, Montreal, Canada; Beach Life – Luz Gallery (Belgo Building), Montreal, Canada; Brume, Galerie Luz Édifice Belgo, Montreal, Canada (2018); Haiti Support Auction, Montreal, Canada (2010).
Group exhibitions include (Upcoming) Bunker Artspace, Palm Beach, Florida, US (2024-2025); The Armory Show, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, New York, USA (2024); Echoes of the Unseen, Gallery Reveal, Bordeaux, France (2024); Toi, moi, nous, Simard Bilodeau Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, USA (2024); Artist collaboration with Claudia Chan Tak-Painting on Dress, Montreal, QC, Canada (2024); Art SG, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Singapore (2024); Plural, Duran Mashaal Gallery, Montreal, Canada (2024); CAN Art Fair, Duran Mashaal, NYC, USA (2024); Wild Ones, Simard Bilodeau Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, USA (2023); Arrival, Duran Mashaal Gallery, Montreal, Canada (2023); V.I.D.E, Agrégat Université de Sherbrooke à Longueuil, Longueuil, QC, Canada (2023); Imagination, Cache Studio, Montreal, QC, Canada (2023); Sundaze, Wishbone Gallery, Montreal, QC, Canada (2023); Where the Wild Roses Grow, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Schloss Görne, Berlin, Germany (2023); Les cahiers, Maison de culture Monk, Montreal, QC, Canada (2023); ART TORONTO, Duran Mashaal, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Canada (2023); FOCUS NYC, Chelsea Industrial, New York, USA (2023); Fomat à importer, Galerie Institut National Art Contemporain gallery, Montreal, Canada (2022); Carrousel du Louvre, FOCUS ART FAIR (BOOM), Paris, France (2022); Paintings, drawings and photo, Montréal en Arts, Rue Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, Canada (2021); Beach Life, Galerie Luz, Montreal, Canada (2019); Pluriel au singulier at the Galerie GOT, Montreal, Canada (2016).
Highlights and Collections
Tuan Vu’s work has been featured in Financial Times How to Spend it December 2024 issue highlighting the magical quality of his work. Vu's work can be found in private and public collections globally including Bunker Artspace Museum, West Palm Beach, FL, Holbar Collection, United Kingdom, VAC (Vietnam Art Collection), Vietnam and Fidelity Investments, Boston, Massachusetts. In 2021, Vu was named artist of the month at YES Montreal and gave an interview to LeZarts on MATV as a guest artist, additionally he received a Merit for his participation in the Luxembourg Art Prize (2021 and 2022).