Artpink — the dream of elite art education

Painter Truong Tien Tra, Artpink’s founder and training director, granted an interview to the Thoi Nay (Present Times) Publication of Nhan Dan (People) Newspaper.

Q: What made you leave your position as a lecturer at the University of Industrial Fine Arts in 2019 to establish the Artpink Academy?

A: Before becoming a lecturer at the University of Industrial Fine Arts, I was a student there. Later, I studied at the Vietnam University of Fine Arts and the Surikov Art Institute in Russia. After 11 years of direct teaching, I have trained a habit of maintaining consistent work with my own teaching methods to avoid monotony. However, as I continuously taught a subject only at a basic level, my personal enthusiasm gradually diminished.

The desire to develop my own educational programme with a small and elite group of students led me to a fortuitous partnership, which helped me establish Artpink in May 2019. Our goal is to build a scientifically and effectively structured training centre for art studies in painting and design in Vietnam, focused on preparing students for studying abroad.

Q: The main target audience for Artpink is high school students who are preparing to study art abroad or at a beginner or intermediate level (ages 10-18). How do you ensure the elite quality of education?

A: The students admitted to Artpink are passionate about arts, intelligent, and fluent in one or two foreign languages who also have support from their families to develop their talents. This forms the first favourable foundation for ensuring elite training quality. However, most students and their families lack a clear and consistent development roadmap and mindset for pursuing an art career from the outset.

From my personal experience when I was their age or older, I wanted to learn in a high-quality environment where I had clear guidance from trusted mentors. When I went to Russia, on the first day, my professor asked me: "What do you have for me to teach you?" This surprising question broadened my thinking and has shaped my perspective to this day.

Artist Truong Tien Tra, along with students and parents, at the opening of the "Beyond Imagination" exhibition.

Q: All 16 students from Artpink’s 2023–2024 class were accepted into prestigious art schools in the countries such as the UK, the US, and the Netherlands. How do you assess these students and their works displayed in the "Beyond Imagination" exhibition?

A: The exhibition showcases works by 16 students, all of whom chose socially relevant themes. They expressed topics ranging from family, school, and society through their worldview using an international artistic language.

The students clearly understood their personal styles in the use of colours, shapes, lines, and materials, and have applied technology and tools in 2D, 3D, sculpture, and installation arts, making each work distinct. But most importantly, they deeply understood gratitude and compassion in life. With their abilities and scientific methods, they convincingly conveyed their chosen themes.

Q: What are Artpink’s future plans to expand its ecosystem?

A: Artpink has signed cooperation agreements with several prestigious art schools in the UK and the US. Currently, we are focused on training students with a vision for the future. These students will collaborate with us to build an ecosystem for professional artists, not only in Vietnam but also in the countries where our graduates have studied and worked.

We have many ideas for development and expansion, but Artpink must observe and study the market. Any expansion in scale must correspond with the quality and personnel required for its implementation.

Thank you very much!