An exhibition of photos, paintings and drawings on the theme “This is not an advertisement” by Australian artist Ian McIntosh will open in Hanoi on January 14.

He first came to Vietnam in 1992 and has since returned regularly to work and live in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.

Ian has worked in various art mediums including photography, drawings and collages.

The Australian artist has noticed many changes over the years in Vietnam, which are strongly reflected in his art.

He looks at Vietnam through an Australian’s eyes, especially in the way he uses Vietnamese motifs and materials. Although his works are mainly about Vietnam, he still feels it has a wider relevance, in the way it addresses the changing world everywhere.

In recent years, Ian has concentrated on two streams of work: taking rubbings of surfaces, textures and objects found in Vietnam and making a series of collages using elements from Vietnamese advertising and popular culture.

They were made and hung in temples and churches, in peoples’ homes, shops and in the streets in the form of memorial stones, wall decorations, door grilles, and street drainage covers. They were also praised for their design and aesthetic appeal, and the way they reflect Vietnam’s varied history.

The pictures were created by cutting and pasting different newspapers, magazines and leaflets together then writing words on top.

Through his works, Ian wants to illustrate the changes in Vietnam and the impact of advertising on people’s expectations of a better life.