VI
EN
The language of painting is emphasized through abstract art.
“Silence 2” is the second exhibition by artist Tran Tien Dung (Dung Trong), following his first exhibition of the same name held in 2021. This time, the artist presents to the public 30 abstract expressionist paintings, created over the past three years.
In a conversation with a Travellive reporter, artist Dung Trong shared: “Three years after my first exhibition, 'Silence,' I return with 'Silence 2' – an explosion of abstract works focusing on the meaning of life and goodness. Inspired by books and the ups and downs of life, I use vibrant colors and strong compositions in each piece. For me, it's about filling passions, emotions, joy, sadness, contradictions, loneliness, all filled with reflections on society, humanity, love, and the meaning of life.”
"Silence 2" is an exhibition of abstract paintings by artist Tran Tien Dung.
Abstract art and philosophy often find common ground in their shared desire to explore and express fundamental truths about human experience.
In "Silence 2," nine artworks by artist Dung Trong utilize a predominantly blue color palette. Each painting tells a life story, as reflected in its title: Reflection, Existence, Peace, Serenity, Nostalgia, Prayer, True Practice, Freedom, and Nothingness…
Looking at Dung Trong's paintings, one easily recognizes his own narrative, telling the story of his life, experiences, and ups and downs. Although it's the artist's personal story, each person can still find and recognize a reflection of themselves somewhere within it.
“For me, painting is about enjoying the opportunity to paint in peace and happiness, even in the face of personal feelings, painting to share with friends and the world around me. After all, everything may fade away, but intellect still illuminates one's own life. Through this exhibition, I want to convey the message to live peacefully and virtuously, because with morality comes blessings, and with blessings comes good fortune,” Dung Trong said.
"Perception" - When one doesn't move beyond the confines of the village pond and the golden haystack, looking out at the world, everything seems terrifying and astonishing.
The work is titled "Heaven - Earth - Man".
"Compassion" was written in 2022.
Artist Dung Trong was born in 1958 in Hanoi. He graduated from Hanoi University of Architecture. As an architect, with over 40 years of experience in urban design, architecture, and business management in the fields of planning and construction, he has experienced many facets of life, interacting with and participating in numerous political, economic, and cultural activities, as well as witnessing countless ups and downs of society and people.
The artist was once a drummer in a band during his student years at the School of Architecture. He was also an art collector while working. Art helped him overcome challenges, relax, and create moments of peace and quiet in his daily life. Dung Trong transformed himself from an architect, a collector, and an audience member into an artist, a painter, a storyteller of life through his brush and colors.
Artist couple Dung Trong and his wife at the "Silence 2" exhibition.
The painting "Angel" is also an image of his wife, created by the artist Dung Trong.
Portraits, landscapes, realism, impressionism… all are present in the male artist's paintings. The content revolves around stories of life, from romantic love and motherly love to life philosophies, proverbs, and hidden teachings of our ancestors, as well as human aspirations towards goodness and beauty. "The creative idea is mainly outlined initially, then gradually evolves during painting, but without deviating to other themes. The titles of the paintings are mostly two words, aiming to evoke emotions and reflections in viewers after each viewing," the artist explained.
Abstract art and philosophy often find common ground in their shared desire to explore and express fundamental truths about human experience. In abstract painting, the artist typically aims to convey emotions, ideas, or concepts through forms and colors.
Artist Dung Trong chooses to tell stories through the colors and shapes of his brushstrokes, and through the profound philosophical metaphors of his abstract works. Photo: Nguyen Mau Toan
Visitors admire the paintings at the exhibition. Photo: Nguyen Mau Toan
Artistic breakthroughs from the constraints of mediocrity.
Artist Dung Trong added: "Only now do I dare to paint. 'Dare' here means the beginning, expressing boldness and confidence to share experiences, stories, and compassion through brushstrokes, colors, and shapes."
The first "Silence" exhibition was like an experiment with all genres, painting techniques, and styles of expression. With "Silence 2," the new series of works are individual stories, yet they are interconnected when viewed by the public. From spiritual stories, beliefs, moral teachings, personal narratives, to social phenomena… This gives the series of paintings an overall sense of optimism.
"The Scholar" was composed in 2022.
"Faith"
Blue – in recent works, the dominant color of the artworks has been seamlessly transitioned. Even when blue is the dominant color, the shades of blue vary smoothly. Even the accents of contrasting colors like red, white, or black don't jar the viewer; instead, they feel natural.
Dũng Trống chooses to tell stories through colors and shapes from his brushstrokes, and through the profound philosophical metaphors of his abstract works. The stories he tells are simple, familiar to everyone, and therefore, one will quickly find a sense of closeness and empathy in the artist's work.
Beyond philosophical stories, religious teachings, modern social issues, or everyday life, he dared to tell his own narratives, universalized personal stories, stories about his family, revolving around the human condition of each individual, and secrets he dared to reveal through his paintings.
"Reflection"
The work "Temporary Realm of Refuge"
Existentialist paintings
Dũng Trống's works are mostly abstract, yet expressive. Each story has a clue to approach it. Viewers, not lost in the face of an abstract painting or his works, can recognize the story behind it through the expressive clues he intentionally creates. They will be able to perceive and continue the content, seemingly mirroring their own experiences.
Life is a whirlwind of passions and fragments that make up life and society. Yet, behind it all, each of us needs a strong support, a comforting hand to lean on when weary. Most of artist Dung Trong's works reflect a desire for liberation, a break from the constraints of conventional thinking and perception. However, this very desire is contradictory; he believes in faith, in karma, and in goodness, and this belief creates a balance through unconventional approaches. Ultimately, goodness, the vibrant green shoots, always emerge, silently rising with hope to escape the mundane constraints.
Each work tells a story, and viewers will discover their own world within it.
Commenting on Dung Trong's paintings, artist Trinh Sinh Nha said: "Dung Trong's abstract art - expression and philosophical confession - have found each other through poems that are the guiding principles of his soul, leading to works in which Dung Trong has discovered and expressed truths and emotions."
The exhibition "Silence 2" is open to the public free of charge until March 14, 2024, at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.
The exhibition "Silence 2" is open to the public free of charge until March 14, 2024. Photo: Nguyen Mau Toan
