Inside Vietnamese Artist Lan Stanley’s Dubai Studio

A visit to the artist’s Dubai home reveals her rich roots through colourful artworks which depict scenes from her childhood

Artist and art consultant Lan Stanley’s studio is set within a gorgeous villa in Dubai’s The Meadows neighbourhood, amid serene lakes and parks; a tranquil environment away from the daily hustle and bustle of the city.

She opens the door with a welcoming smile, dressed elegantly in a floral dress and stunning sandals. Noticeable at first glance are all her paintings dotted around the walls in the living room and also some sculptures, antiques and paintings from other artists that she collects.

Her home is her studio. She prefers to paint in her house as she feels more comfortable and true to herself here. Surrounded by nature and sunlight, the garden is where the artist can often be found painting away into the evening. 

Lan started painting at the age of 12. She took her brother to art classes and drew sketches to amuse herself while she waited for him to finish. One day, the teacher (Mr. Pham Viet Song, one of Vietnam’s well-known master artists), asked to meet her parents. At first Lan thought she must have done something wrong, until: “She has a gift and should continue developing her talent for that,” said Mr. Pham, of her work. For Lan, art is embedded into her culture, her story and rooted in her self-expression.

Lan was born in Hanoi in Vietnam, one of the most ancient capitals of the world, and lived in the USA, London and Hong Kong, until her husband’s job relocated her to the UAE. Living in different countries enriched her journey of self-discovery and has influenced several of her works. Her biggest inspiration is the experiences she collects through meeting people and being a mother, a wife and a woman influenced by fashion and art. Most of her paintings are centred on females, the relationship between different types of people and cultures, the connection between a man and a woman.

The striking oil and acrylic works are a reflection of the oneness of the world as seen through the artist’s lens and the picturesque countryside in her hometown, bringing to life the sounds, feelings and energy of her native Vietnam. The vibrant, colourful works often note inspiration from the country’s festivals and folk traditions.

In the work aptly titled Harmony (2006), the  artist depicts how music, love and relationships all need harmony. The deep red colour represents passion, love and spirit, while the bright orange and yellow “spring sunlight,” as she describes, shows a child admiring a flower in a young woman’s hair. 
In one of her largest pieces (approximately two by three metres), The Call of Spring (1998 – 2000), shades of orange, red and purple mingle in full sunshine, symbolising a new season.

When asked what she feels most proud of, she blushes and I can tell she has never really thought about it, demonstrating great modesty for someone so talented. After a short pause, she replies, “One day, I won’t be here. I want to leave a footprint, something that will make people remember me for what I have been able to achieve.”

 Like many artists, the pandemic has had a marked effect on the way she works.

“Covid has made us stop and reconsider what we actually want to do in life,” she notes. So what lies ahead for the artist in future? “As an artist, I feel very fascinated about art because with it, you can reflect your different emotions, the good times, the bad ones and your journey through life,” she expresses. “Sometimes people don’t see art as such and it’s your responsibility as an artist to show them how to see it and why you are so passionate about it.” That, she has certainly achieved.

Lan’s dream project is to exhibit all her artwork, as well as her fine art and antique collection, all under one roof to showcase her rich roots and what Southeast Asian, more specifically Vietnamese, art can offer. She dreams of creating a very large painting portraying her culture and the similarities to the Middle East. “It’s very similar to the one here in the Middle East, in a way that men go in groups and so do women, but they don’t mix and show their emotions.”

The best piece of advice she has been given? “To believe in yourself, no matter what happens. If you believe who you are, you can do it and achieve it.” And in this uncertain year, we all need to remind ourselves just that. lan-art.com

From the Winter 2020 issue of Harper’s Bazaar Interiors, The Art Issue