VI
EN
The journey of shaping a new artistic language.
Nguyen Thang (1995) began his creative journey not with painting, but with music, while preparing for the entrance exam to the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music in 2016. In his free time, he experimented with various art forms such as pencil drawing, paper painting, and graffiti. However, a major turning point came in 2022 when he learned about glass painting from a Swiss artist. Inspired by this novel art form, he was motivated to experiment, although initially he faced many setbacks due to a lack of materials and techniques.
Undeterred, Nguyen Thang was determined to delve deeper into his research. He ordered double-layered glass, a special type of glass capable of maintaining its structure when struck, and hammers of varying weights for experimentation. "In Vietnam, finding suitable materials like glass or hammers is very difficult. I had to sharpen the hammers myself to achieve the desired sharpness," he shared. After months of research, Nguyen Thang successfully mastered the technique, from adjusting the striking force to utilizing cracks to create vivid details in his paintings.
While materials and tools are important, Nguyen Thang believes that the decisive factor remains the artist's technique and emotion. "With a heavy hammer, tap gently; with a light hammer, tap harder. The important thing is how you control the force and technique," he explains. A 400-gram hammer, perfectly sized for his hand, has become a familiar tool in his creative process. Thanks to his perseverance and intense concentration, Nguyen Thang has transformed seemingly random taps into portrait stained glass artworks, where each crack holds its own meaning.
Breathing life into every crack
What makes Nguyen Thang's glass paintings unique is the way he conveys emotion through each detail. He focuses on creating portraits because, according to him, this is the genre that best expresses the "soul" of the subject. "I often focus on the eyes, because that's where the most emotions are contained. Each crack must be carefully controlled to create the desired nuances, from joy, sadness, happiness to contemplation," he shared.
Glass painting is an art form that demands intense concentration, patience, and meticulous attention to detail. Just one inaccurate tap can ruin the entire composition of the painting. Especially in areas like the corners of the eyes or mouth – where high detail is needed to express emotion – Nguyen Thang must subtly adjust the tapping force, ensuring that cracks are precisely controlled without affecting the overall composition. Each piece typically takes him between 2 and 7 days to complete, depending on the complexity of the painting.
While many believe that art must be linked to inspiration, Nguyen Thang holds a different view. He shared: "Inspiration is only temporary, but perseverance is the decisive factor for success. When I lack inspiration, I still have to work with a cool head and reason."
The painting depicts the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus.
Some of Nguyen Thang's notable works include portraits of Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus, and Mother Teresa. He considers each painting a spiritual child and initially didn't want to sell them because of their immense 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 advances. "Technology can assist in other fields, but human emotion is something that cannot be replicated. Every crack in the glass is the result of the creator's concentration and genuine emotion," he shared.
Artistic imprint both domestically and internationally.
With his passion and talent, Nguyen Thang has garnered significant attention from the international art community. His works have now been exhibited in many places around the world, from the Middle East, Australia, Canada to the United States. He also aims to hold more solo exhibitions to introduce this unique art form to a wider audience. "I want to mark a milestone in my career with exhibitions where people can directly enjoy and experience my work," he said.
Stained glass is an art form that demands intense concentration, patience, and meticulous attention to detail.
Besides developing current techniques, Nguyen Thang is also exploring ways to combine stained glass with other materials or art forms to create more unique works. "Currently, I'm still focusing on exploiting the effects of light and depth against a black background. But I believe there are many other ways to develop this art form, and I will continue to learn and create more," he shared.
Artist Nguyen Thang is gradually establishing his mark in the art community both domestically and internationally. Each stained glass artwork he creates is not only a testament to his masterful technique but also a way for him to convey his emotions and creativity through every crack. This art form demands meticulousness and patience, but it is precisely this that gives his stained glass paintings their unique personality and value.
