Hoa Sưa (Dalbergia Tonkinensis) flowers by Phạm Thanh Sơn.

HÀ NỘI Five painters will showcase their artworks covering a wide array of subjects like portraits, still-life and landscapes at an exhibition held from March 30 to April 4 at the 29 Hàng BàI Exhibition Hall in Hà Nội.

The Câu Chuyện Đầu Năm (The New Year’s Stories) exhibition will display 67 paintings by five painters - Phạm Thanh Sơn, Nguyễn Đình Lâm, Hoàng Quốc Tuấn, Lương Bình and Nguyễn Đức Cường.

According to painter Phạm Thanh Sơn, a member of the organisation board, this is the second time the artists have had a joint exhibition.

“Together, we share a passion expressed through the mediums of watercolour on paper and silk, with a small number utilising oil paint. The materials are considered relatively new in the Vietnamese arts scene, while they have seen significant advancements all over the world these days,” he told Việt Nam News.

Besides displaying artworks, The New Year’s Stories also include four workshops and painting performances of the artists.

Through their collective body of artworks, five painters have created an immersive experience where viewers can explore diverse themes and engage their personal narratives. 

Phố Hàng Vải (Hàng Vải Street) by Phạm Thanh Sơn.

Painter Phạm Thanh Sơn, born and raised in the Old Quarters’ Hàng Điếu Street, reflects strength and decisiveness in his artworks thanks to a youth filled with various challenges. His paintings often depict familiar images of Hà Nội such as the sưa (Dalbergia Tonkinensis) flowers, pomelo blossom and starfruit, as well as iconic landmarks like the Long Biên Bridge and the arches of Cửa Đông. They not only capture the external beauty of Hà Nội but also carry the stories, memories and emotions of an artist who has been based in the city for decades. 

Duyên (Charm) by painter Hoàng Quốc Tuấn.

Silk paintings by Hoàng Quốc Tuấn, despite being imbued with the essence of the medium, possess a distinctiveness in their expertly crafted and precise brushwork, honed through years of practice. They also capture the delicate nuances of emotions that are rarely encountered elsewhere. The theme that he explores in his artwork is the small anecdotes of childhood or the beauty of rosy cheeks of young girls. 

Mùa Lúa Chín (Ripe Rice Season) by Nguyễn Lâm.

In The New Year’s Stories, Nguyễn Lâm presents a collection of carefully arranged still-life artworks alongside vibrant nature paintings. The composition of his paintings may appear coincidental at first glance, but in reality, they are meticulously calculated. Furthermore, the interplay of light, both realistic and ethereal, creates a distinct and enchanting quality in Lâm's artworks.

Artist Lương Bình brings diversity to this exhibition by utilising two mediums - watercolour and oil paint. He explores various subjects such as portraits, still-life and landscapes, and regardless of the medium or subject matter, his works carry a strong sense of the artist's life experiences. VNS