Le Hong Thai, born in Hai Phong in 1966, infuses new possibilities into the ancient mediums of Vietnamese lacquer and silk painting. Thai is one of the most respected lacquer painters in the world. He is widely known for successfully pushing the medium of Vietnamese lacquer in new directions as he creates contemporary works on traditional wood surfaces, and he is the first Vietnamese artist to paint with lacquer on canvas. He also paints masterfully on silk. In "Rein Car Nation" Thai is exhibiting a new series of his silk scrolls, large works that depict solitary figures moving through a mysteriously barren dreamscape.

Thai's work builds a bridge between traditional mediums and contemporary life. He feels that the only way to be true to art and also truly contemporary is to express his exploration of himself and the world through his art.

Thai recently conducted a three-day hands-on workshop at U.C. Berkeley to teach American students the basic process of Vietnamese lacquer painting. It was a rare opportunity for the students and faculty to gain familiarity with a medium and technique that most people only have access to in Vietnam.

Vu Dan Tan, Le Hong Thai and Natalia Kraevskaia, director of Salon Natasha, a contemporary art gallery in Hanoi, are in residence at Pacific Bridge during November. Vu Dan Tan, Le Hong Thai and Natalia Kraevskaia's roundtrip transportation from Vietnam has been generously sponsored by Malaysia Airlines. Also in residence during November is French artist Eric Leroux, who has lived in Hanoi for seven years and is considered a member of Hanoi's arts community.