The journey to shape a new artistic language
Nguyen Thang (1995) started his creative journey not from painting but from music, when he was studying for the entrance exam to the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music in 2016. In his free time, he tried many other art forms such as pencil drawing, paper painting and graffiti. However, the big turning point came in 2022, when he learned about glass painting art through a Swiss artist. The inspiration from this new form urged him to experiment, although at first he faced many failures due to lack of materials and techniques.
Undaunted, Nguyen Thang decided to delve deeper. He ordered double-glazed glass, a special type of glass that can maintain its structure when struck, and hammers of different weights to experiment with. "In Vietnam, it is very difficult to find suitable materials such as glass or hammers. I had to sharpen the hammers myself to achieve the desired sharpness," he shared. After many months of research, Nguyen Thang succeeded in mastering the technique, from adjusting the force of the blow to taking advantage of cracks to create vivid details in the paintings.
Although materials and tools are important, Nguyen Thang believes that the decisive factor is still the artist's technique and emotion. "With a heavy hammer, you have to tap lightly, with a light hammer, you have to tap harder. What's important is how you control the force and technique," he explains. The 400-gram hammer, which fits comfortably in your hand, has become a familiar tool in his creative process. Thanks to his perseverance and intense concentration, Nguyen Thang has turned seemingly random taps into glass portraits, where each crack has its own meaning.
Breathe life into every crack
The unique point of Nguyen Thang's stained glass paintings is the way he conveys emotions through each detail. He focuses on creating portraits, because according to him, this is the genre that best expresses the "soul" of the character. "I often focus on the eyes, because that is where the most emotions are contained. Each crack must be carefully controlled to create the desired nuance, from joy, sadness, happiness to contemplation," he shared.
Stained glass is an art form that requires intense concentration, patience and meticulous attention to detail. Just one inaccurate tap can ruin the entire composition of the painting. Especially in areas such as the corners of the eyes or mouth – where high detail is needed to express emotions – Nguyen Thang must adjust the tapping force delicately, ensuring that the cracks are precisely controlled without affecting the overall look. For each work, it usually takes him from 2 to 7 days to complete, depending on the complexity of each painting.
While many people believe that art must be associated with inspiration, Nguyen Thang has a different opinion. He shared: "Inspiration is only temporary, but perseverance is the decisive factor for success. When I don't have inspiration, I still have to work with a cool head and reason."
Painting of Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus
Some of Nguyen Thang’s notable works include portraits of Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, Mother Mary holding baby Jesus, and Mother Teresa. He considered each painting his brainchild and did not want to sell them because of their great personal value. However, he realized that sharing these works with others is also a way to spread artistic value.
He also shared that emotion is an irreplaceable element in stained glass, even as technology develops. "Technology can assist in other fields, but human emotion is something that cannot be copied. Every crack on the glass is the result of the creator's concentration and genuine emotion," he shared.
Domestic and international artistic imprints
With his passion and talent, Nguyen Thang has received great attention from the international art community. His works have now appeared in many places around the world, from the Middle East, Australia, Canada to the US. He also aims to organize many solo exhibitions to introduce this unique art form to a wide audience. "I want to mark a milestone in my career with exhibitions where people can directly enjoy and feel my works," he said.
Stained glass is an art form that requires intense concentration, patience and attention to detail.
In addition to developing current techniques, Nguyen Thang is also looking to combine glass painting with other materials or art forms to create more novel works. "Currently, I still focus on exploiting the effects of light and depth on a black background. But I believe there are many other ways to develop this type of art, and I will continue to learn to create more," he shared.
Artist Nguyen Thang is gradually asserting his mark in the art community both domestically and internationally. Each stained glass work he creates is not only a testament to his skillful technique but also a way for him to convey his emotions and creativity through each crack. This is an art form that requires meticulousness and patience, but that is also what helps his stained glass paintings have a strong personality and unique value.
