Ha Minh was born in 1994 and currently lives and works in Hanoi. She began her painting studies by familiarizing herself with classical techniques and methods based on the study of the human form taken from life. She studied color through observing natural forms, landscapes and combining the inspiration she received from the human form.
With the theme Ouroboros, artist Ha Minh’s first solo exhibition is also marked by beginnings and endings, appearing in many different meanings. A series of works displayed at the exhibition were created over a period of three years, an extremely special time in her life. Ouroboros opens a new chapter, the end of a period of initial creative practice in artist Ha Minh’s painting career.
Ouroboros is the first solo exhibition of artist Ha Minh, marking beginnings and endings, appearing in many different meanings. (Photo: Work Room Four)
The Ouroboros is a circular symbol depicting a snake or dragon devouring its own tail. Originating in ancient alchemy, this symbol represents the cycle of life and death.
As a transgender artist who came to painting through self-study, Ha Minh is always motivated to create through independent drawing research, almost only drawing things from life to develop his sharp ability.
She began her practice by drawing and sketching only male figures. Gradually, under her brushstrokes, those figures began to take on androgynous features. This helped her become more comfortable exploring queerness in color and concept in her works or expressing her feminine side through art.
Painting "Alone in Antarctica"
"Lean on my heart"
A series of Teddy bear portraits
The exhibition brings together many individual creations: large and small sketches, a series of sketches from sketchbooks and the highlight is a series of portraits of teddy bears. Created during the period of social isolation to prevent the Covid-19 pandemic.
The portraits revolve around a very personal and intimate subject: the artist’s teddy bear. As social distancing has hampered her creative practice, which usually involves drawing the human form, the artist has turned to simple objects around her to maintain her creative practice.
Ha Minh started painting by familiarizing himself with classical techniques and methods based on studies of the human form taken from life. (Photo: Work Room Four)
Therefore, according to artist Ha Minh, the “inanimate” Teddy bear became her inspiration, model, silent witness and confidant. This object helped her navigate the complexities of life, dedicating herself to creativity independently, in a conservative and sometimes hostile family environment, as a young transgender woman.
The series of paintings together create a magical space like childhood, as well as a place where the artist can look back at herself, face and accept the female form, evoking the prominent position of a queer artist today. This exhibition is extremely special to Ha Minh because she feels like she is once again publicly revealing her gender identity, this time not to the world but to herself: “Being a woman in this world, you will be fine and everything will even be good, so don't worry too much."
A simple desire to be loved, accepted and understood is present throughout the works of artist Ha Minh.
Painting "U minh"
Pictures of nature
Ha Minh's compositions are formed through her creative instinct, aiming to create a space free from childhood losses, where she can be free with her own dreams, sexual orientation and the diversity of human beings...
Artist Ha Minh said that her works are exploited according to: form and chaos, shape and abstraction, full space and negative space, light and dark, harmonious and conflicting colors. She aims for a balance between opposites, yin and yang, female and male... to reflect the life process of a transgender artist.
"A Cat Named Kyle"
The Teddy Bear Devourer
Ha Minh has participated in many Art For You art exhibitions and group exhibitions at Work Room Four since 2018. In addition, her works were displayed in Hanoi Art Connecting 5 exhibition at Vincom Center for Contemporary Art, Hanoi (2022), Artistic Anatomy - Vinschool Central Park, Hanoi Architectural University (2023), Earth Body Blood Water - Nha Song Project, Hanoi and Ruc Ra Ruc Rich - 11 Toong spaces in Hanoi, Saigon, Da Nang & Toong Gold Coast Nha Trang (2020).
The Ouroboros exhibition takes place from April 7 to 25, 2023 at Work Room Four at No. 31, Lane 67 To Ngoc Van, Tay Ho, Hanoi.
