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The language of multi-generational painting
Forty paintings by 18 contemporary artists come together in "Fragrance and Color" – a space where beauty is depicted through emotion and color. Whether the medium is silk, oil paint, lacquer, pastel, or watercolor, each work sings its own unique note in the symphony of painting, where art blends to celebrate the beauty of flowers and people. "Fragrance and Color" presents works imbued with femininity, innocence, and a strong East Asian character – where the two symbols of flowers and women intertwine, creating a vibrant and gentle picture.
18 artists, 40 different ways of telling stories about flowers and women in the exhibition "Fragrance and Color".
Flowers are not only symbols of beauty, but also the very breath of femininity. The woman in the painting appears as an extension of nature, where colors and lines intertwine, recounting the emotions, memories, and peaceful beauty that have silently endured through time.
Sharing her thoughts on this reunion, Le Huong Tra, Co-Founder of B&C Maison d'Art, the exhibition space, said: “The 'Fragrance of Colors' exhibition is not just a tribute to the women who silently make life more beautiful, gentle, and humane. We feel happy to be a bridge between artists and art lovers, where each artwork finds kindred spirits and art touches the breath of life.”
The exhibition opens up a space for dialogue with beauty, where visitors can listen to the heartbeat of the artist through each brushstroke.
Unique style in the play of materials
Each artist possesses a distinct artistic personality, harmoniously blending colors to create a space where the beauty of flowers and women shines through various painting techniques. The 18 artists featured in “Fragrance and Beauty” include: Nguyen Thanh Binh, Quach Dong Phuong, Nguyen Nghia Cuong, Ngo Duc Hoang, Nguyen Thuy Van, Huynh Thong Nhat, Dinh Ngoc Canh, Nguyen Thu Ha, Doan Xuan Tung, Ho Lan, Nguyen Manh Cuong, Tran Cuong, Tran Duong, Nguyen Pastel, Pham Vu, Dang Vu Hoa Le, Vu Thuy Mai, and Nguyen Nhu Ngoc.
Flowers and women – two eternal themes in poetry and painting – now come alive in an unprecedented way amidst the autumn days of Hanoi.
Travellive has fostered inspiring dialogues between generations of artists, listening to their personal stories through the language of painting.
According to artist Nguyen Pastel, "Pastel is like a language that tells the story of the ultimate beauty of all things before transformation, where each layer of fine powder is imbued with emotion and touches the profound stillness of memory." An old brick courtyard, a moss-covered bench, fallen flower petals covering the ground after a recent rain... all are captured by him using pastels, a rare yet exquisite medium. Through these images, the exhibition evokes familiar scents and nature, where each artist expresses their own perspective but shares a common love of art, creating beauty from the simplest things.
The artwork "Nostalgia for Spring" by artist Claudie Vân
"Under the Flowers" by artist Doan Xuan Tung
Meanwhile, the silk paintings of female artist Vu Thuy Mai exude purity and gentleness. She shared: "Silk painting is where emotions are whispered through bright colors. Silk resonates with my soul, requiring the artist to be gentle, meticulous, and feminine, yet still project a strong personality. Mastering this medium is not simple, especially the technique of drying and layering multiple coats, which demands absolute precision. I carefully sketch on paper before painting on silk, allowing each layer of color to touch the profound beauty of nature and humanity."
Artist Vu Thuy Mai (wearing an ao dai in the middle) believes that: "Silk painting is where emotions are whispered through bright colors."
Both pastel and silk require special preservation processes. Silk and pastels are sensitive to humidity, requiring underlayment and environmental controls to maintain color longevity. Silk painting techniques often involve multiple layers and meticulous corrections, resulting in durable and harmonious colors; while pastels on paper, similar to crayons, require a pre-treated base to ensure the colors adhere firmly and do not fade.
Unlike the younger generation of artists, for painter Ngo Duc Hoang, each medium opens up a unique way of expression, reflecting the skill and personality of each artist. Through each painting, viewers can "see" and "read" the hidden emotions of the creator.
According to the artist, in art, every detail tells a cultural story. The buttons on a Thai shirt or the patterns of the Hmong and Dao people reflect local customs, culture, and ways of life. No detail in a painting is accidental: from clothing and shirt colors to background flowers, everything tells a story about life and people. Each work is a cultural message encoded in images; the viewer's task is to feel and decode it.
For painter Ngo Duc Hoang, each medium opens up a unique way of expression, reflecting the skill and personality of each artist.
Discussing his artistic perspective, painter Ngo Duc Hoang added: “My painting style leans towards simplicity. I don't focus on depicting the details of each face or costume, but rather concentrate on capturing and conveying the 'soul' of the subject through concise shapes, lines, and colors. A true work of art not only illustrates technique but also contains a message and personal perspective. Imagine enjoying a bowl of corn soup; you don't need to see each kernel to appreciate the exquisite flavor. Art is the same; it refines so that viewers can perceive the essence, rather than mechanically copying reality.”
The subject the male artist is most passionate about is the beauty of ethnic minorities, especially the Red Dao people.
Following that trend, the male artist's most passionate subject is the beauty of ethnic minorities, especially the Red Dao people. Their costumes and patterns carry profound cultural value and unique color aesthetics. When painting, he selects characteristic details (such as the red hat) and simplifies them, allowing viewers to immediately sense the atmosphere and distinctive culture without lengthy explanations. The uniqueness of his paintings lies in combining traditional artistic elements with a modern minimalist approach.
The artwork is like a compressed file, containing multiple layers of information and emotion. When viewers "decompress" it through their own experiences, they discover a rich world within. "The core value of an artist is finding and affirming their unique style – something difficult but precious, helping the work live on through time," said painter Ngo Duc Hoang.
"Highland Girls" by artist Quách Đông Phương
Watercolor on silk by artist Nguyen Thi Nhu Ngoc
At "Fragrance and Color," viewers not only admire the beauty but also listen to the emotional rhythm and soul of the artist – where flowers, people, and colors blend together harmoniously.
“Fragrance and Color” is open to the public until November 16, 2025, at B&C Maison d'Art art space, 82G Tho Nhuom Street, Hanoi.
"Fragrance and Color" is not just an exhibition, but also a gathering of 18 artists from different generations, featuring 40 works in diverse materials and contrasting styles.
The exhibition is a tribute to the beauty of nature and the gentleness of women, while also opening up a journey to discover the "uniqueness" in art.
