An art history of Vietnam through the eyes of maverick Bill Bensley

Bill Bensley is one of the world's leading architects and hotel designers - and he will curate an adventure through the past, present and future of Vietnam during the Tết festival with an original art exhibition.

The InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort will host a Lunar New Year event that will see “The History of Vietnam (According to Bill Bensley)” transport art lovers on a journey from the 17th to the 22nd centuries with a collection of approximately 30 whimsical paintings that Bensley has created especially for this occasion.

The artworks will focus on the rich heritage of Danang and Hoi An through "a collection of vibrant contemporary paintings". 

From early international voyages to Vietnam in the 1600s, to the start of trading with Europe and Korea in the 1700s, ships venturing as far as southern Chile in the 1800s, and the departure of the French in the 1950s, history will be depicted in Bensley’s irreverent style. 

The exhibition will also offer a glimpse 100 years into the future, with a temple in Danang designed by AI. 

The Bensley Art Show will be launched at the Bensley Outsider Gallery, a dedicated exhibition space on the Sky Level of InterContinental Danang, on February 11 to coincide with Lunar New Year, and will run through until April 30. 

Visitors will be able to purchase the artworks and proceeds will be donated to charitable causes, including Bensley’s Shinta Mani Foundation. 

The artist will also host a lecture entitled The Light-Hearted Works of Bill Bensley at the Moulin Rouge Theatre  on February 9.

“We are thrilled to host this unique show honouring the history of Vietnam in Bill Bensley’s signature style," said Seif Hamdy, the resort’s general manager..

"Our resort strives to give our guests unique, authentic and entertaining experiences that also communicate the richness of Vietnam’s culture – and this show delivers on all fronts.” 

For more information see www.danang.intercontinental.com.