Dear friends,

No one understands things better than their creator. In the same way no one understands art better than the artists themselves. That’s why in art there is no recognition higher than that given to you from your artists-fellows. Eighteen years ago, in 1987, I was very touched after knowing that I was accepted to be a member of the Vietnam Fine-Art Association, the most prestigious state-run organization of professional painters and sculptors of my home country. By the same reason, today it’s a honour for me to become a member of Shutai Fine-Art Association.

I came to Japan in 1994 never knowing that I would be living here for such a long time. I did not choose art. I chose science. But fate is something given to you by God. As a result I’m now working as a daytime physicist and a nocturnal plus weekend painter. The difference between doing physics and painting is that in physics you cannot avoid using a language, at least English, to communicate. In painting you don’t need to know even a language. Lines and colours speak for all. Art overcomes any cultural and linguistic boundaries. Living in Japan I feel very happy because of the hospitality of Japanese people, the safety of the society, the freedom of thought and expression that every body enjoys without any exception. And today I am even happier to be accepted as a member of the family of Shutai artists.

I would like to use this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to my dear friend Hatake, whom I met 10 years ago. I’m also thankful to Mrs. Nakagawa, Mrs. Enomoto, Mr. Okamoto, and Mr. Kadoya, whom I met after joining Shutai exhibitions, and was lucky to have a group show last November. I thank many other friends from Shutai Fine-Art Association, whose name I could not mention here just because of the lack of time. Finally I would like to thank all of you for being so kind to me and for your continuous support.