HÀ NỘI — An interest in the human personality has led artist Nguyễn Ngọc Phương to create a series of abstract paintings that are on display at the Việt Nam Museum of Fine Arts in Hà Nội.

Heafod, which is his 4th solo exhibition, showcases his 19 latest paintings – all with his signature style featuring bold and strong strokes, and the contrast of colours.

Painter Nguyễn Ngọc Phương (left) and founder of Tongla Art, Tuyết Nguyễn, seen at the Heafod exhibition. — Photo courtesy of Tongla Art

Commenting on the emerging artist, Tongla Art – the exhibition’s organiser, wrote: “For Nguyễn Ngọc Phương, art and life are one, extreme and fanatic in his art, he is equally extreme and fanatic in his life, committed as he is, like a man who rather prides himself on knowing what he is about. Like all people of real merit, he knows too well the medium and the milieu that suit his own nature and talent.”

To satisfy his creativity, the artist has “played” with all kinds of mediums, such as lacquer, synthetic adhesives, gilding materials, gold and silver leaves, hard-medium-soft rock deposits, soapstone, and soft soil, to create the paintings.

Art lovers contemplate a painting at the Heafod exhibition. — VNS Photo Thúy Hằng

Attending the exhibition’s opening ceremony on Tuesday, noted painter Lý Trực Sơn said: “In the works by Phương, viewers often encounter something different from the usual artistic structure. The works are the place where he plunges into the explosions and chaos of visual elements and then tries to define a kinetic order for them. I see in his paintings that the energy of the hidden is so intense that it distorts the form of what it hides. This is his own visual art.”

Agreeing with the veteran artist, Most Venerable Thích Tuệ Quang, who is among the guests attending the opening ceremony, said that he feels there is a connection between him and those artworks.

“I don’t have much knowledge of art and painting, but when I stand in front of them, I can feel an energetic vibe through those strokes,” he said.

Aiming to offer art lovers a deeper understanding of his works, Phương has shared with his fans about the exhibition's philosophy, spirit, and techniques during a special talk on Wednesday.

Heafod showcases 19 abstract paintings by artist Nguyễn Ngọc Phương. — VNS Photo Thúy Hằng

Before the Heafod, Phương had presented his artworks in three other solo exhibitions, Ngày Thứ 49 (The 49th Day) Part 1 and 2 in 2018, and Niệm (Opinion) in 2021 – all of which took place at the Museum of Fine Arts. His works also were presented in group exhibitions in South Korea, China, France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Born in 1975 in Hà Nội, Phương received the Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Traditional Fine Arts at the Hà Nội University of Industrial Fine Arts. He then gained the Master of Arts degree at the Việt Nam University of Fine Arts.

His Heafod exhibition opens to the public until July 31. The Việt Nam Museum of Fine Arts is at 66 Nguyễn Thái Học Street, Ba Đình District, Hà Nội. — VNS