LEADERSHIP TEAM

Artist/Educator THANH BUI

WHEN PASSION FOR ART FLOURISHES WITH THE DESIRE TO NURTURE VIETNAMESE CULTURAL ESSENCE

Vietnamese audiences commonly associate the name Thanh Bui with a talented and passionate international artist who has produced several popular hits both in Vietnam and around the world. However, his contributions go beyond just his success as an artist. With a passionate soul for art, he always worries about the mission of preserving and nurturing Vietnamese talents, and the desire to introduce Vietnamese youth to a modern education system while still preserving their unique cultural identity. These efforts have been crystallized through his brainchild, Embassy Education – an ecosystem with more than 30 organizations that have a broad vision and steadfast passion imbued with the spirit of Vietnam. After many years of operation, 2023 marks the official launch of the Vietnam Contemporary Visual Arts Academy (VCVAA), a member unit established with the goal of training and developing young talents, contributing to shaping the future of visual arts in Vietnam.

CONQUERING THE PEAK OF MUSIC: A JOURNEY FULL OF COURAGE

In 2004, Thanh Bui laid the first bricks in his music career and quickly left a deep impression on audiences throughout Asia. Continuing to strive for breakthroughs, he reached the Top 8 of Australian Idol in 2008, opening up a new chapter for his artistic journey. With a dream to reach the international stage, he has collaborated with many artists from all over the world such as RedOne (Lady Gaga, Enrique Iglesias), Wayne Hector (Britney Spears, One Direction, Nicki Minaj), Thai star Tata Young with the hit “Where Do We Go”, or BTS with “Danger”,… These achievements are the clearest evidence of his perseverance, dedication, and passion for art.

VISION FOR ART, FOR VIETNAM

In addition to his success in the arts, artist Thanh Bui has also made an impression on the public as a passionate educator.

Since 2012, he has tirelessly pursued a creative education journey through exemplary projects such as the Soul Music & Performing Arts Academy (SMPAA), the non-governmental organization AMPA Education, the Trinh Cong Son Scholarship, and more. With an unwavering determination, he became the only Vietnamese recipient, and one of ten individuals awarded the Eisenhower Fellowship leadership scholarship. In 2018, he founded the Embassy Education, collaborating with leading educational organizations globally, and successfully introduced the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education in Vietnam.

With the latest addition of VCVAA – the Vietnam Contemporary Visual Arts Academy, the Embassy Education has officially marked the final step in building its complete creative education ecosystem.

Not limited to providing extracurricular teaching programs, VCVAA is positioned as an inspiring art space, nurturing a generation of global citizens with creative thinking, independent innovation abilities, and strong awareness of their own values. With a broad vision, VCVAA is currently working alongside Embassy Education in realizing its core mission and contributing to laying the foundation for a prosperous and internationally integrated Vietnam.

With a focus on the philosophy of developing children’s artistic abilities, artist Thanh Bui and his spiritual child, VCVAA, continue to dedicate themselves to a Vietnam full of creative potential, a dream of making the country a developed, cultured, and richly distinctive nation. Thanh Bui’s resolute and passionate steps have ignited a flame of passion in many young Vietnamese generations and promise to continue as an endless source of motivation for new seeds in pursuing their dreams.

TRAM KHA

PROFESSIONAL ADVISER

Nguyen Huu Tram Kha is a passionate visual artist and educator. With a solid background in formal training in painting and visual arts, Kha has experimented and developed a unique style by blending historical materials and cultural heritage to create contemporary artworks that are thought-provoking and visually captivating. As an experienced art educator with over 15 years of experience, Kha is committed to providing students with a supportive and inspiring learning environment, where everyone can explore their artistic potential, develop essential skills, and discover the power of self-expression. Kha strongly believes in the transformative potential of community and the importance of fostering connection through art. By collaborating with individuals and groups from various fields, Kha aims to create inclusive spaces where everyone feels valued and empowered to share their unique perspectives.

lilly wong

ACADEMIC CONSULTANT

Lilly Wong is a material designer, artist, and textile producer from the UK. Her journey is likened to a rich tapestry woven with threads connecting the cultural identities of England, Vietnam, and China. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Material Design from Central Saint Martins, a public arts school that is part of the University of the Arts London (UAL), she embarked on a creative journey spanning more than two decades, leading her through various unique artistic fields from fashion, art consultancy to photography and art education.

Drawing inspiration from philosophy, art, and the traditions of Eastern design, combined with the refinement of distinctive Asian materials, she has shaped her own aesthetic, a blend of minimalism, symbolism, and modernism.

Founding Kiiro in 2020 – a fashion brand intertwining art and lifestyle – has marked a new chapter in Lilly’s career, showcasing her resilience and creativity on the path of developing her style and artistic practice.

RUAIRI FALLON

EDUCATIONAL PARTNER

Starting from a passion for murals in the city of Belfast and a childhood spent experimenting with materials in a workshop, Ruairi Fallon moved to London in 2011 to attend the Foundation Program at Camberwell College of Arts, graduating with First-Class Honors in Illustration. His studies and research at one of the world’s leading art schools helped him shape his unique artistic style through works that reflect his personal perspective on broader sociopolitical issues since his graduation in 2015.

His artworks, including paintings, prints, and subjects, embody a harmonious blend of memory, architecture, family life, and culture. Each piece is a unique variation, conveying insightful reflections on the intersections of politics, culture, family, and the self in the artist’s work.

toby wynyard

INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIC PARTNER - UALSC

“The short-term training program of the University of the Arts London is delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with the Vietnam Contemporary Visual Arts Academy (VCVAA). We deeply admire the values that VCVAA is striving to achieve, and we are also very empathetic towards your mission. We understand the power of arts education, how it transforms people’s lives by helping them improve their spirits, enhance their skills, and create more job opportunities.

In Vietnam, VCVAA is known as one of the leading pioneering organizations in providing visual arts education. Therefore, we are excited to bring our teaching methods to VCVAA and become a part of this educational journey. VCVAA has also actively reached out, expressing their desire for us to use our skills and expertise to accompany them on this journey.”

– UALSC Head of Product and Planning –