Artworks by Đỗ Hà Hoài are on display at Toong workspace in HCM City. Photo courtesy of Đỗ Hà Hoài

HCM CITY — The recently opened first solo exhibition by artist Đỗ Hà Hoài showcases his works inspired by his experiences. 

In the exhibition with the theme "allergy", more than 20 works including sculptures, paintings and installations are made from mixed media, composition, clay and foam. 

The artist got the idea for the exhibition from his own allergy to bread.

For him, the allergy of the body resembles an allergy of the soul - where human emotions are evoked and intruded by overwhelming waves of information on social media and the internet.

"I feel like the outsider of social networks," said Hà. "Like it or not, I still have to endure the negative effects of the online world.

"The only thing that helps me get rid of my worries is creating art."

Therefore, he reimagines the intangible pains by making them tangible in the forms of paintings and sculptures.

He creates the works in order to portray the conditions of mental allergy and the passive response of the body to social impacts. 

Coming to the exhibition, visitors will see the chaos of colours which evoke human emotions in the same way that allergies do, according to the artist. 

Born in 1994 in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai, Hoài graduated the the HCM Ciity Fine Arts University.

His works have been displayed at Deep in Contemplation, Transitscape Museum, Exhibition Takashimaya 2016, and Exhibition Dogma 2015.

He has won prizes including first prize at the 18th Exhibition for Sculpture Students of HCM City Fine Arts University by HCM City Fine Arts Association.

He has worked at Art Assistant Uudamstudio in Singapore and the National Art Centre, Tokyo. 

His exhibition runs until February 28 at Toong workspace from 8am to 4.30pm, at 126 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai Street, Ward 6, District 3 in HCM City. 

It is the first of the art and culture event series curated by GocCreation into more than 20 workspaces in the region, themed Re Bodied focusing on reimagining familiar topics and concepts in art and daily life. — VNS