The exhibition by five artists recently opened at the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Association under the theme Hieu canh (Understanding the scene). Each artist entered the project with unique emotions but joined together to create a shared flow of expression.

The exhibition space features diverse themes. Pham Hai Au visualizes emotions from his experience as a musician. Qui Phan paints the places he has traveled across the country. Trinh Vuong depicts golden moments of daily life. Le Trung Hieu pursues Bien Hoa ceramic traditions, reviving the beauty of ancestral craftsmanship.

Among them, Nguyen Thanh Vu’s collection stands out. He spent over a year producing more than 30 pieces of paintings and ceramics. Clouds and waves are recurring motifs in his works, serving as metaphors for life and philosophy.
The artist uses motifs of clouds and waves to express his philosophy of life.

Compared to the other four, Vu admits his works are harder to understand, leaning toward philosophical reflections. His style blends elements of impressionism and abstraction. For this reason, he often writes short notes to accompany each piece, helping viewers grasp his intended meaning.

His paintings incorporate spiritual and energetic elements, rich in Buddhist influence. Vu likens the cycle of a day - from sunrise to sunset - to the journey of a lifetime, encompassing birth, aging, illness, and death.

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Ceramic works displayed at the exhibition.

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The group of five artists at the exh
ibition.Photos: HK, NVCC

“Life is full of ups and downs, both material and spiritual abundance, as well as silent moments or even painful failures. I hope viewers can relax and gently face their own challenges while contemplating my works,” Vu shared.

For instance, in a piece themed around stability - the pinnacle of one’s life - he used pastel green and white tones to emphasize that the most valuable state is inner peace.

Through oil paintings, the group also seeks to convey vigor, passion, vitality, and peace. With ceramics, they aim to preserve and promote the legacy of Bien Hoa ceramics.

Born in 1995 and a graduate of Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture, Vu has nurtured a passion for art, particularly oil painting, since childhood. He sees painting as part of cultural identity, reflecting the spirit of the times. Vu began painting professionally in 2021 and feels fortunate to live by his passion.

The exhibition Hieu canh will run until August 20 at the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Association.

Tuan Chieu