Viengxay Phounsana poses with the new Head of Cooperation and Cultural Affairs at the French Embassy and the new Director of the Institut Français.

Institut Francais celebrates contemporary art

The new cultural season at the Institut Francais in Vientiane opened on September 7 with an exhibition of the work of the renowned contemporary Lao artist, Viengxay Phounsana.
Viengxay’s art world is abstract and full of life. Movements, vivid colours, amazing forms and reliefs, a mix of art and everyday materials such as fishing nets, cords, or even cake decorations, reveal the deep inspiration of his artwork.
When asking visitors which piece was their favourite, they would say “This one… but I’m not sure why”.
Viengxay’s artworks talk directly to your gut, touching your inner emotional world, inviting your own interpretation and feelings to give a new meaning to the work.
Viengxay developed his rare and unique approach to art in the French-speaking world, during his stay in Québec, Canada.
When he returned to Laos, he worked closely with the National Institute of Fine Arts to expose students to contemporary art and encourage them to discover their own and singular artistic identity.
In this sense, Viengxay fully meets the true goals of the Institut Francais.
With great ambition, its gallery - named Alix Aymé after the great female artist who showed her love for Laos and its people in her paintings in the 1930s – aims to support original work, highlighting distinctive universes, encouraging artistic research, and giving renowned and upcoming artists a supportive access to high standard cultural equipment.
In that meaning, the Institut Francais provides a privileged meeting place for Lao and French knowledge, the arts, cultures, languages and practices, which perfectly represent the work and the personality of Viengxay Phounsana.
The exhibition is open until September 30, from 9am to 5.30pm, at the Institut Francais on Lang Xang Avenue.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update September 13, 2022)