Trần Lương: Tầm Tã - Soaked in the Long Rain

Spanning painting, installation, performance, community engagement and institution-making, the exhibition delves into the life of an artist who, over the last thirty years, has played a significant role in supporting critical contemporary art in Vietnam—a context with little public infrastructure for artmaking and display, and continued limits on artistic expression.

From his early career as a painter in the 1980s, the exhibition traces Trần’s shift towards performance and conceptual art, following the opening up of Vietnam’s economy to global trade, as well as his subsequent efforts to work collaboratively with communities. Throughout, Trần has worked actively to build spaces for experimentation, education and sharing, and to enhance exchange between Vietnam and the wider Southeast Asian region.

Tầm Tã – Soaked in the long rain is the first significant presentation of Trần’s work in Aotearoa. The exhibition offers insight into the artist’s multifaceted life and practice; shaped by political and social transitions in Vietnam, and the many roles he continues to play—as activist, curator, facilitator, archivist and mentor.

Tầm Tã – Soaked in the Long Rain is curated by Biljana Ciric and co-organised by Art Jameel, the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery | Len Lye Centre and The Art Gallery of Western Australia.

Opening Weekend

Curator's Tour with Biljana Ciric
11am | Saturday 1 November

Join curator Biljana Ciric for an intimate tour through the exhibition. 

Ciric will share insights into Lương’s early career as a painter among the Gang of Five, his role in introducing performance art to Vietnam, and his foundational work in establishing initiatives and supporting generations of artists in a context with continued limits on artistic expression. As well, Ciric will share insights into her curatorial approach to the exhibition, reflecting on her own relationship with the artist, and the years-long process of building the exhibition and its accompanying publication. 

Offsite Performance: Trần Lương,“A Consignment Journey” / Flowing
12pm – 4pm | Saturday 1 November
Pukekura Park, near the Band Rotunda

10am – 2pm | Sunday 2 November
Ngāmotu Beach

Over the opening weekend of his exhibition Tầm Tã – Soaked in the long rain, we invite you to participate in a durational performance alongside Vietnamese artist Trần Lương.  

This performance furthers the artist’s interest in engaging with different communities and contexts through acts of unconditional trust. Over two days, the artist will be present at different locations in Ngāmotu with his head covered, simply waiting for an encounter to happen. Passersby are invited to guide the artist in any direction they wish. 

Wet Worlds with Trần Lương: Whānau Special
10:30am – 12:30pm | Saturday 1 November

Inspired by his drippy drawings, this all-ages dive into the soggy, drenched universe of artist Trần Lương’s early paintings. This drop-in session invites whānau to dream up creatures from the deep—think puddle-dwelling pals and creatures that emerge from mysterious terrains.

Let your imagination run wet and wild as you explore new worlds through playful mark-making. 

Drop-in. Free. All materials provided. 

Infrastructures for Collective Imagining: A day-long gathering
10am - 5pm | Sunday 1 February

On the occasion of Trần Lương’s exhibition Tầm Tã – Soaked in the long rain, we invite expressions of interest to participate in a one-day event exploring artist-led infrastructures and strategies for social change.

This invitation is open to artists and activists, curators and cultural workers, teachers and students, poets and policy makers—anyone who aspires to build a future beyond neoliberal forms of production, transaction and consumption.

This gathering will unfold over a series of talks, workshops, and performances.

Together we will explore approaches to art, publishing and education that aim to co-create infrastructures that reimagine the public sphere and create openings for meaningful connection and exchange.

Featuring contributions from Sue Bradford, Bea Gladding and Spoor Books.

Please note expressions of interest for this event have now closed. Please contact simon.gennard@govettbrewster.com for further information.

For more, click here, click here.

Exhibition partners: