EN
Multi-generational painting language
40 paintings by 18 contemporary artists are gathered in “Fragrance and Color” – a space where beauty is depicted through emotions and colors. Whether the creative material is silk, oil, lacquer, pastel or watercolor… each work has its own unique sound in the symphony of paintings, where art blends to honor the beauty of flowers and people. “Fragrance and Color” brings works full of femininity, clarity, and Asian character – where the two symbols of flowers and women blend, creating a vivid and soft picture.
18 artists, 40 ways of telling stories about flowers and women in the exhibition "Fragrance and Color"
Flowers are not only a symbol of beauty, but also a 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 are silently preserved over time.
Sharing about this reunion, Le Huong Tra - Co-Founder of B&C Maison d'Art, the exhibition space, said: "Huong Sac is not only an exhibition, but also a tribute to the women who silently make life more beautiful, gentle and humane. We feel happy to become a bridge between artists and art lovers, where each work finds a kindred spirit and art touches the breath of life."
The exhibition opens a space for dialogue with beauty, where visitors can listen to the beat of the artist's soul through each brushstroke.
Unique style in the material game
Each artist has a different artistic personality, combining colors to create a space where the beauty of flowers and women shines through many painting materials. The 18 artists participating 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 amid Hanoi's autumn days.
Travellive had inspiring conversations between generations of artists, listening to their own stories through the language of painting.
According to artist Nguyen Pastel, "Pastel is like a language that tells the final beauty of all things before transformation, where each layer of fine powder is imbued with emotions and touches the deep silence of memory." An old brick yard, a mossy sofa, fallen petals covering the ground after a rain that has just stopped... all are recorded by him with pastel, a rare but equally delicate material. Through these images, the exhibition evokes the familiar scents and colors of nature, where each artist expresses their own perspective but shares a love of art, creating beauty from the simplest things.
The work "Nostalgia" by artist Claudie Van
"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 paintings are where emotions are whispered in bright colors. Silk resonates with my soul, requiring the artist to be gentle, meticulous and feminine but still exudes a strong personality. Mastering this material is not simple, especially the dry technique of layering many layers that requires absolute precision. I sketch carefully on paper and then paint on silk, so that each layer of color touches the profound beauty of nature and people."
Painter Vu Thuy Mai (in ao dai in the middle) said: "Silk paintings are where emotions are whispered in bright colors."
Both pastels and silk require special care. Silk and pastels are sensitive to moisture and require backing and environmental controls to maintain their color longevity. Silk painting is often multi-layered and meticulously retouched, resulting in long-lasting, consistent color; while pastels on paper, like crayons, are ground to ensure they adhere and do not fade.
Unlike the second generation of young artists, for painter Ngo Duc Hoang, each material opens up a unique way of expression, reflecting the power and personality of each artist. Through each painting, viewers can “see” and “read” the hidden emotions of the creator.
According to the male artist, in art, every detail tells a cultural story. The buttons of the Thai people or the patterns of the Mong and Dao people reflect the customs, indigenous culture and way of life. No detail in the painting is random: from the costumes, shirt colors to the background flowers, all tell a story about life and people. Each work is a cultural message encoded in images, the viewer's task is to feel and decode.
For painter Ngo Duc Hoang, each material opens up a unique way of expression, reflecting the power and personality of each artist.
Discussing his artistic perspective, artist Ngo Duc Hoang added: “My painting style tends towards simplicity. I do not focus on depicting the details of each face or costume, but concentrate on capturing and conveying the 'soul' of the subject through blocks, lines and condensed colors. A true work not only illustrates technique, but also contains a message and personal perspective. Imagine enjoying a corn soup, without seeing each corn kernel, you can still feel the quintessential flavor. Art is the same, it is distilled so that the viewer can feel the essence, not mechanically copying reality.
The male painter's most passionate theme is the beauty of ethnic minorities, especially the Red Dao people.
Following that flow, 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 values and unique color aesthetics. When painting, he chooses typical details (like the red hat) and simplifies them, so that viewers can immediately feel the atmosphere and typical culture without needing lengthy explanations. The unique point of his paintings lies in combining traditional art elements with modern minimalist thinking.
The work is like a compressed file, containing many layers of information and emotions. When viewers “unzip” it through their own experiences, they discover a rich world within. “The core value of an artist is to find and affirm their own uniqueness – a difficult but precious thing that helps the work live forever,” said artist Ngo Duc Hoang.
"Highland Girls" by artist Quach Dong Phuong
Watercolor on silk by artist Nguyen Thi Nhu Ngoc
Coming to “Fragrance and Color”, viewers not only enjoy the beauty, but also listen to the beat of the artist’s emotions and soul - where flowers, people and colors blend together.
“Fragrance and Color” is open to the public until November 16, 2025 at the B&C Maison d'Art art space, 82G Tho Nhuom, Hanoi.
"Fragrance and Color" is not only an exhibition but also a reunion of 18 multi-generational artists with 40 works of mixed materials and contrasting styles.
The exhibition is a tribute to the natural beauty and gentleness of women, while opening a journey to discover "uniqueness" in art.
