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Stepping into the exhibition space, viewers easily sense a magical tranquility. Artist Nguyen Van Hung (born 1990, Bac Ninh) doesn't try to astound viewers with grandiose scenes or striking contrasts. Instead, he leads them into a poetic world where light permeates the landscape, highlighting small but important details. This collection, as its name suggests, evokes a hidden hope in each frame.
The exhibition is on display at 31 To Ngoc Van Street, Quang An Ward, Tay Ho District, Hanoi.
Light, hope
Nguyen Van Hung is sensitive to light. For him, light is not just a technical element but also the central character in his works. He shared: “I notice in life a kind of dim, flickering light, easily overlooked if one doesn't pay attention. It's sensitive, easily changing with each impact, but always present. That light evokes in me thoughts of hope.”
In Hung's paintings, light never tries to overwhelm the scene. Instead, it blends into every detail, from rooftops and narrow alleys to quiet street corners. It's the fragility yet vitality of hope—an indistinct feeling that is always present in everything around him, a feeling he strives to "capture" in each of his frames.
Artist Nguyen Van Hung during the creative process of his artwork.
For example, in a painting of a quiet alleyway, light shines down on the rough pavement, highlighting each paving stone that has faded with time. This scene, though simple, evokes a feeling of warmth and peace, like a reminder that even in the darkest corners of life, hope still exists.
Silence
The male artist's paintings primarily depict everyday scenes: small streets in the afternoon sun, old buildings, or a street corner at dawn. These are all familiar images, yet often overlooked in the hustle and bustle of life. However, through his perspective, they are no longer inanimate objects but become central characters, each carrying its own story.
Hung's paintings mainly depict scenes of everyday life.
He doesn't judge the beauty or ugliness of the subjects he paints. Instead, he explores the relationships between the details, how they interact with each other and with the surrounding space. When visiting the exhibition, viewers feel comfortable, a sense of tranquility and peace permeates their being. He explains: "The comfort that many people feel is probably due to my approach to those realities. I don't judge the beauty or ugliness of the subjects themselves, but rather delve into understanding and analyzing the relationships and correlations of the details within them. I explore their lives with a pure, non-judgmental perspective."
It is this observation that gives Hung's paintings a rare emotional depth. Each painting is like a visual poem, not only telling the story of the scene but also evoking emotions and memories in the viewer's soul. "For me, painting isn't about releasing emotions; it's about sharing peace and affectionate feelings with life after each journey. I believe this effort to share also carries with it faith and strength."
Technique and emotion
Mr. Hung does not deny the role of technique in creating emotion in art. He believes that technique is a tool to express emotions most authentically. However, in this collection, he prioritizes emotion, because, in his opinion, emotion is the crucial bridge between the artwork and the viewer. To convey the fragility of the nuances in the scenery, he chose a simple, minimalist approach, focusing on light and its changes when interacting with other elements.
The exhibition space is unpretentious, exuding sophistication.
“I struggled in the first half, with structuring the work. In the second half, those structures almost guided me. My job was to feel and connect with the painting, giving it what it needed. When I found the 'thread' to tightly link the elements in the work, so that each detail highlighted the role of the others, supporting each other to create a harmonious whole, then the work was considered complete,” Hung shared.
On the opening day of the exhibition, there was a memorable comment from a foreign artist: "I've heard many people say your paintings lack color, but to me, those paintings are very vibrant; I see so many colors in them!" After learning that he was a graphic artist who only painted in black and white, Hung came up with the idea for a series of monochrome paintings. He revealed: "I've already started creating a few pieces. Hopefully, there will be another solo exhibition with this style next year."
"For me, drawing isn't about releasing emotions; it's a way for me to share peace and affection with life."
Every ordinary thing in life, from a glimmer of light to a spontaneous conversation, can become an endless source of inspiration. In this ever-changing world, Hung's art serves as a gentle reminder of appreciation, of the hidden beauty in the simple things. He evokes stillness, hope, and appreciation for life through each painting. It's not just his way of depicting the world, but also an invitation for viewers to pause, listen, and find moments of peace in their own lives.
The exhibition "Hope Exists" is not simply a collection of paintings, but an emotional journey, where each painting is a gateway to peace and faith in life. For Hung, art is not an escape, but a way to confront life, to cherish the small but meaningful things. As he once said: "Painting is how I share affectionate feelings with life after each journey, even though there are no shortage of difficulties and obstacles."
