Entering the exhibition space, viewers can easily feel the magical silence. Painter Nguyen Van Hung (1990, Bac Ninh) does not try to amaze viewers with grand scenes or strong contrasts. Instead, he takes them into a poetic world where light penetrates the scene, 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 only a technical element but also the main character in his works. He shared: “I notice that in life there is a kind of dim, gray light that is flickering, easily overlooked if not paying attention. It is sensitive, easily changed by every impact but always present. That light makes me think about hope.”
In Hung’s paintings, light never tries to overwhelm the scene. Instead, it blends into every detail, from the roof, the alley, to the quiet street corners. It is the fragile but vibrant feeling of hope, an unclear but always present feeling in everything around that he always tries to “capture” in each of his paintings.
Painter Nguyen Van Hung in the process of creating his work
For example, in one painting of a deserted alley, light falls on the rough pavement, highlighting the faded bricks. The scene, though simple, evokes a sense of warmth and peace, a reminder that even in the darkest corners of life, hope still exists.
Silence
The male artist’s paintings mainly depict everyday scenes: small roads in the afternoon sunlight, old buildings, or a street corner at dawn. These are all familiar images but often overlooked in the hustle and bustle of life. However, from his perspective, they are no longer inanimate scenes but become main characters, carrying their own stories.
Mr. Hung's paintings mainly depict everyday scenes.
He does not judge the beauty or ugliness of the subjects he paints. Instead, he studies the relationships between the details, how they interact with each other and with the surrounding space. When coming to the exhibition, viewers will feel comfortable, a sense of comfort and peace creeping inside. He explains: “The comfort that many people feel is probably due to the way I approach those realities. I do not judge the beauty or ugliness in themselves, but go into understanding and analyzing the relationships and correlations of the details inside, I study their lives with a pure, non-judgmental eye.”
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 is not an act of releasing emotions, it is a way for me to share peace and affection with life after each journey. I believe that this effort to share also brings faith and strength.”
Technique and emotion
Mr. Hung does not deny the role of technique in creating emotions in art. He believes that technique is a tool to express emotions in the most authentic way. However, in this collection, he prioritizes emotions because, according to him, emotions are the important bridge between the work and the viewer. In order to express the fragility in the nuances of the scene, he chose a simple way of expressing, simplifying details, focusing on light and changes when interacting with other scenes.
The exhibition space is not fussy, exuding sophistication.
“I had difficulty in the first half, when structuring the work. In the second half, those structures will almost certainly guide me. My job is to feel and connect with the painting to give it what it needs. When I find the 'flow' to closely link the elements in the work, so that each detail highlights the role of each other, supporting each other to create a reasonable whole, then the work is considered complete,” Mr. Hung shared.
On the first day of the exhibition, there was a memorable comment from a foreign artist: “I see many people say your paintings lack color, but to me those paintings are very bright, I see a lot of color there!”. After learning that he is a graphic artist, painting only in black and white, Mr. Hung came up with the idea of a series of monochrome paintings. He revealed: “I have started to show a few paintings. I hope to have another solo exhibition with this tone next year.”
“For me, drawing is not a way to release emotions, it is a way for me to share peace and affection with life.”
Every simple thing in life, from a flicker of light to a sudden conversation, can become an endless source of inspiration. In this turbulent world, Hung’s art is a gentle reminder of appreciation, of the beauty hidden in simple things. He evokes tranquility, hope and appreciation for life through each painting. It is not only his way of expressing the world but also an invitation for viewers to stop, listen, and find moments of peace in their own lives.
The exhibition “Hope Exists” is not simply a collection of paintings but also an emotional journey, where each painting is a door leading to peace and faith in life. For Hung, art is not an escape but a way to face life, cherishing small but meaningful things. As he once said: “Painting is the way I share my affectionate feelings with life after each journey of life, despite all the difficulties and obstacles”.
