Self Portrait under the Moonlight

Nguyen Quan (1948) was born in Ha Son Province, Vietnam and graduated with a degree in math and cybernetics in the German Democratic Republic in 1971. It was during this time abroad that Quan developed an interest in Surrealism. His painting style is one that incorporates Western influences with a Vietnamese sensibility that belies an Asian tendency. In the immediate post-Doi Moi period Quan's works and ideas became highly influential in the art circle, which was suddenly liberated, and allowed to paint non-representational works. Quan has depicted his own image in a realist manner, within a surreal setting. According to him, this work is inspired by loneliness. Quan's signature elements such as the moon that makes references to a woman's face and the stylization of foliage are present here.