Broad international interest in Vietnamese Painting has today really taken off. After Asia, this very special and altogether beguiling form of artistic expression exerts an irresistible, seductive pull on Europe and the US. There are several reasons why this is so.

Virtually isolated from the outside world between 1975 and 1990, and having been enmeshed in a series of civil and colonial wars over the three preceding decades, Vietnam has only recently rediscovered the joys of freedom of expression. A real explosion of creativity has burst out onto the artistic scene since 1995/6.

Moulded by these influences, there emerges a strange, fascinating, difficult and at times dramatic life and energy. Through its power and a sense of revolt, this energy has uncovered colour, vibrancy and happiness that emerge as if into a belated childhood. Contemporary art in Vietnam is expressive yet provoking, and totally unique in Asia.

This art is nevertheless close and accessible to us in many ways. We are all endowed with a sort of in-born aptitude that gives us an instinctive appreciation of this work, which represents the only Asian art that places itself squarely at the crossroads of Eastern and Western styles and techniques. These styles and techniques have been honed over a thousand years of Chinese influence fused with a century of French values that were given form with the 1925 establishment of the Ecole des Beaux Arts de L'Indochine in Hanoi. This 'Ecole' was set up with the intention of teaching the techniques and theories of Western art to new generations of Vietnamese painters. Despite the country's troubled recent history, contemporary artists still draw heavy inspiration from these cultural bridges with the West.

Vietnamese lacquer is a striking example of this confluence of inspiration and styles. It is a magnificent synthesis of ancient Asian techniques with the lacquer applied to flat wooden boards, but the content inspired by Western notions of pictorial depiction. This felicitous combination of influences has allowed Vietnam to become the sole producer of lacquer paintings.

Today's Vietnamese artists enjoy international recognition. Many museums and private collectors own works by Do Xuan Doan, Truong Dinh Hao, Nguyen Van Hai and other prominent artists. For a dozen or so years, we have followed the development of a number of artists who have won recognition from critics and collectors around the world. Our selection of works has been based on principles of quality, authenticity and uniqueness. All the lacquer and oil works currently being offered for purchase have been carefully and diligently selected by ourselves. We now have the pleasure of offering these works to you exclusively.

Patrick Rochette & Sylvie Skeet