Vietnam House Art Gallery

This unusual art gallery has been open for only a couple of months. With Vietnamese artefacts as well as paintings, wandering through the gallery takes a wee while. The high-​lacquer boxes, serving bowls and platters, the silk scarves and the small selection of silk bags also mean you can take home a little piece of Viet Nam home with you if you can’t afford the larger pieces of art adornign the walls.
As for the art on the walls… some of it is an acquired taste but that, again, depends on your taste. Some of the pieces — especially some of the oils and watercolours, are beautiful in a way that makes me want to hang out in front of them, losing myself in them in way not really supported by a commercial art gallery!!!
Although, having said that, the woman in the shop is always happy and very helpful! After a brief introduction and welcome, she pretty much leaves you alone to look at the art. If she notices that you return to something in particular, she offers a little information about, like where or how it was made, or what the cultural significance is. Then she goes back to whatever she was doing, or is happy to wrap any purchases.
I’ve only bought a few wee pieces, as opposed to any of the art, but it’s well worth a look for more unique gifts or if you’re interested in art from South East Asia.