Duong Sen, born in 1949 in Nghe An province, Vietnam, is a master of traditional Vietnamese lacquer painting and one of the country’s most distinctive contemporary artists. Known for his eccentricity and free-spirited nature, he has developed a unique visual language that bridges the elegance of Art Nouveau with the geometric sophistication of Art Deco, creating works that feel both timeless and modern.
 

A former high-ranking policeman, Duong Sen brings an unconventional perspective to his art. His lacquer paintings, the medium for which he is internationally recognized, feature subtle variations of earthy tones illuminated with gold. While the use of gold leaf is traditional in Vietnamese lacquer, his bold and imaginative application gives his works an ethereal, mosaic-like quality.
 

Adding to the complexity of his works, he incorporates geometric shapes and angular patterns that are unmistakably Art Deco. Whether in intricate abstracts or figurative compositions featuring naive, doe- eyed young women, all his paintings reveal his whimsy, inventiveness, and mastery of lacquer technique.
 

Duong Sen’s works have been collected by most major museums in Vietnam, as well as the Art Museum in Taiwan, and are part of numerous private collections worldwide. He has received several prestigious awards, including the Honorable Prize from Philip Morris (1997–2000), the Medal for Vietnam’s Fine Arts Career, the Medal for Vietnam’s Literature and Arts Career, and numerous other prizes for his exhibitions in Vietnam.
 

With his playful imagination, technical mastery, and bold artistic vision, Duong Sen continues to redefine Vietnamese lacquer art, earning him both national and international acclaim.