The Colours ’26 exhibition by the Colourful Dreams group tells the story of creativity, friendship and a shared commitment to a community among individuals who have travelled varied professional paths. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — Bringing together painting enthusiasts from diverse professions including journalism, education, photography, filmmaking, engineering and business, the Colours ’26 exhibition by the Colourful Dreams group offers more than a showcase of emotionally resonant artworks.

It tells the story of creativity, friendship and a shared commitment to a community among individuals who have travelled varied professional paths.

On the evening of June 18, at the HCM City Fine Arts Association, the Colourful Dreams group officially opened the Colours ’26 exhibition, featuring works by 12 artists who share a passion for art despite coming from different professional backgrounds.

The exhibition marks the group’s third collective showcase since its establishment in 2018 and celebrates eight years of dedication to painting by a group of non-professional artists united by a deep love for the arts.

Colourful Dreams was formed through regular gatherings at Reunification Hall. Inspired by a common passion for painting, teachers, journalists, film directors, photographers, entrepreneurs and managers came together to learn, practise and create, gradually building their own artistic community.

This year’s exhibition features works by 12 artists, including Nguyễn Kim Thúy, Vũ Kim Sơn, Nguyễn Nghiêm, Nguyễn Trọng Tâm, Trần Quang Minh, Đỗ Lệnh Hùng Tú, Nguyễn Hồng Nga, Nguyễn Viết Bình, Nguyễn Thị Xuân Mai, Ngọc Thị Yến, Hoàng Quốc Tuấn and Nguyễn Tiến Lễ.

Created using a variety of media including oil, acrylic, watercolour and pastel, the artworks explore themes of nature, people, traditional culture and emotions distilled from lived experiences.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Associate Professor Dr Trần Thanh Nam, vice chairman of the HCM City Fine Arts Association, said that the group’s distinctive identity stems from the diversity of its members’ professional backgrounds.

According to Nam, true to the group’s name, each member contributes a unique colour shaped by personal experience and professional expertise. Whether journalists, educators, engineers or businesspeople, they are united by a love of art and a desire to create.

“The artists have devoted considerable time to artistic creation, and that commitment has given the exhibition its rich diversity. Works depicting natural beauty, traditional culture, a love of life and everyday emotions offer multifaceted perspectives on society while helping to spread appreciation for the arts among the public,” he said.

Over the years, the group has been supported by professional artists including Associate Professor Dr Đỗ Lệnh Hùng Tú and painters Nguyễn Nghiêm, Cương Tuse, Ngô Thành Nhân, Lê Sa Long and Tô Hoài Nam.

Their guidance has encouraged many first-time painters to pursue art with greater seriousness and confidence.

The exhibition also highlights the convergence of different artistic disciplines. — VNA/VNS Photo

One of the distinctive features of this year’s exhibition is the participation of several artists with backgrounds in journalism.

Rather than expressing themselves through words, they have chosen painting as a medium through which to revisit memories, emotions and personal reflections on life.

Photographer Đoàn Hoài Trung, chairman of the HCM City Photographic Association, said he was deeply moved by many of the emotionally rich works on display.

“This exhibition provides an opportunity for artists to meet, exchange ideas and enjoy beautiful works of art together. I am particularly touched by paintings that speak directly to the viewer’s soul and create a sense of emotional connection. One example is Nguyễn Tiến Lễ’s paintings of young women gracefully dressed in traditional áo dài. Their innocence and vitality demonstrate how art can keep the artist’s spirit forever youthful,” he said.

According to Trung, the exhibition also highlights the convergence of different artistic disciplines. Four participating artists are members of the HCM City Photographic Association, demonstrating that there are no rigid boundaries between painting, photography and other creative fields.

“In the end, what remains is the beauty of the artist’s soul and their perception of life,” he remarked.

Sharing his thoughts at the opening ceremony, Associate Professor Dr Đỗ Lệnh Hùng Tú reflected on the journey he and fellow members have shared over the years, particularly the period during which they supported one another through the COVID-19 pandemic.

He noted that among the works on display are several portraits of close friends within the group, especially journalists who have accompanied him throughout many years of his life and career.

“Whether these portraits resemble their subjects is for the public to decide. For me, however, they are immensely valuable because they portray friends and fellow artists who stood together through the most difficult days of the pandemic and continue to accompany one another today,” he said.

As the exhibition takes place in the lead-up to the 101st anniversary of Việt Nam Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–June 21, 2026), the portraits of journalists within the group carry special significance.

They serve as a means of preserving professional memories and paying tribute to those who have devoted their lives to journalism.

According to journalist Nguyễn Tiến Lễ, former director of the Vietnam News Agency’s Southern Regional Bureau (now the Việt Nam News Agency Southern Regional Information Centre), Colourful Dreams has organised four exhibitions at the HCM City Fine Arts Association over the past eight years.

“Alongside every exhibition, we have sought to undertake meaningful activities for society. In previous years, the group raised funds to support victims of Agent Orange and disadvantaged children in remote areas of the Central Highlands. Looking ahead, we hope to generate additional resources to assist care facilities for severely wounded war veterans,” he said.

Lễ added that this aspiration is shared by all members of Colourful Dreams. Beyond their passion for painting, each member hopes to contribute to the community, support disadvantaged individuals and spread positive values through art.

Without placing undue emphasis on technical perfection, the works presented at Colours ’26 captivate visitors through their sincerity and the stories they tell through colour.

The exhibition runs until June 24 at the HCM City Fine Arts Association. — VNA/VNS Photo

After eight years together, Colourful Dreams has become more than a space for nurturing artistic passion.

It has evolved into a community that connects like-minded souls, where former journalists, educators and photographers continue to create and contribute in a different way, through art, compassion and a commitment to humanity.

The exhibition runs until June 24 at the HCM City Fine Arts Association, offering the public an opportunity to appreciate works shaped by the artists’ passion for art and the richness of their life experiences. — VNS