Bich Thao recently held an exhibition titled Source of Life in Ho Chi Minh City, showcasing her decade-long journey of documenting the sun in nearly 10,000 photographs.

Her works evoke the essence of Naive Art - a genre characterized by its simplicity, naturalness, and freedom from the constraints of traditional artistic norms and techniques.

Thao is drawn to the sun for its radiance and its ever-changing beauty, from sunrise to sunset. She has captured these moments at various times and locations, whether through airplane windows, car windows, or while traveling and receiving medical treatment. Her approach is entirely spontaneous, without prior planning or setup.

Despite not being a professionally trained photographer, Thao describes herself as an enthusiastic amateur. Her sun-themed photographs reflect her feelings of vitality, positive energy, and renewal.

Thao has been living with Parkinson’s disease for six years. Each year, she travels to Germany for treatment. During these long trips, photography—particularly of the sun - became her solace and source of joy.

"Taking photos helps me forget about my illness. It brings me happiness and the motivation to keep living. The sun feels like a source of luck, and I want to share that positivity with others," Thao shared.

Notably, all her photos are taken on an iPhone rather than with professional cameras, giving her work a unique and distinctive quality.

Encouraged by online followers who admired her images, Thao decided to organize an exhibition. Though she has focused exclusively on one subject, she dedicates considerable time and effort to each piece.

Some photos were taken mere minutes apart, yet they capture entirely different moods and landscapes. After each session, she carefully selects and organizes the images into dedicated albums.

Many of her works are tied to significant memories. Among her favorites are three standout pieces: a photo taken aboard an airplane nearly a decade ago, an image capturing iridescent clouds, and another depicting a dragon-shaped cloud over Phan Thiet.

Visual artist Pham Tuan Ngoc, a representative of the exhibition’s organizers, remarked on the compositional harmony in Thao’s work, noting her meticulous choice of angles and reflections.

"Emotion and perspective aren’t something you can learn - they require innate talent and sensitivity. Everyone sees the sun and can take a photo of it, but creating something truly unique is no easy feat," he said.

Featured photographs in the exhibition:

Tuan Chieu