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Watercolors have long been considered a familiar, accessible, and popular medium in the art of painting. At the exhibition "Watercolor Stories," this medium opens up a different approach, linked to the personal imprint and life experiences of each artist. Through watercolors, viewers are guided to realms of emotion, memories, and subtle observations of everyday life.
For a long time, watercolors were often confined to the realm of being "light," "fast," and purely for practice. The fact that this medium is rarely mentioned in discussions about collectible value or sustainability in art partly reflects the public's reserved view. However, recent practices show that watercolors can absolutely become an independent visual language, where the artist's individuality is most clearly expressed.
The "Watercolor Stories" exhibition space at Art Space
The works of the Vietnam Watercolor Artists group demonstrate a different approach to watercolor: not seeking immediate visual effects, but focusing on emotion, rhythm, and subtle observations of life. In this approach, watercolor is not merely a technical tool, but a space for the artist to engage in dialogue with memory, time, and their own life experiences.
Taking place from January 24th to February 1st at Art Space (42 Yet Kieu, Hanoi), the exhibition “Watercolor Stories - Vietnam Watercolor Artists” showcases over 100 works by 9 artists from the Vietnam Watercolor Artists group, sketching the face of contemporary Vietnamese watercolor in the atmosphere leading up to Tet 2026.
A display corner featuring paintings by artist Dinh Quang Hai, with soft colors and gently diffused light.
Artist Dinh Quang Hai (Hai Tre) is one of the prominent figures in the exhibition. For him, his long-standing connection with watercolors stems from the belief that when people delve deeper into a medium, its enduring values will gradually reveal themselves. According to him, watercolor paintings in Vietnam are often questioned about their durability and collectible value, partly because the public has had little regular contact with this medium for a long time.
The artworks "Lo Duc Street" and "Apartment Complex" by artist Dinh Quang Hai
In Dinh Quang Hai's works, images of streets, people, and familiar scenes of daily life are depicted with restrained artistry. Light spreads gently, evoking a sense of slow-moving time. The interplay of light and shadow is carefully handled, allowing the artwork to maintain a sense of tranquility and emotional depth. The paintings don't tell a specific story, but rather open up space for viewers to connect with their own familiar memories.
Sharing his creative philosophy, artist Quang Hai believes that the value of a work of art lies not in the materials used, but in the artist, from their thinking and experience to their personal skill. Throughout art history, many works of lasting value have been created using very simple tools. For him, watercolor is a "true" medium because it clearly reveals the mastery of the brush. When used correctly, watercolor can offer great expressive power.
The diversity in the artistic styles of the participating artists shows that watercolor is not limited to a single mode of expression. Artist Nguyen Thu Ha approaches this medium through a series of portraits rich in introspection, focusing on exploring the emotional states of her subjects. The gaze, shades, and handling of color are all restrained, creating layers of lingering emotion that require viewers to observe slowly and carefully.
Some works by artist Nguyen Thu Ha at the exhibition.
Meanwhile, artist Hoang Quoc Dat chooses themes related to everyday life such as streets, boats, and docks. His works use soft color palettes and neat compositions, creating a sense of intimacy. Anchored boats or tranquil street corners appear as familiar glimpses of urban life, evoking serenity amidst the ever-changing pace of life. This style of expression makes Hoang Quoc Dat's work accessible to a wide range of audiences.
The gathering of artists Bui Duy Khanh, Dinh Quang Hai, Dinh Minh Thien, Nguyen Phuong Bac, Duong Ton Quoc Thuy, Chu Quoc Binh, Nguyen Thu Ha, Bao Huynh, and Hoang Quoc Dat reveals diverse creative journeys intertwined within a shared medium. Watercolor here serves as both a point of intersection and a test of each artist's individuality and depth of experience.
The exhibition space "Stories of Watercolor" showcases various approaches to watercolor as a medium.
Throughout the works, watercolor emerges not as a "secondary" medium, but as a creative choice with a life of its own. The diversity of themes, emotions, and expressions allows viewers to encounter familiar images of life, but viewed through a slower, more contemplative, and reflective lens. And watercolor appears with a new facet, opening up multiple layers of emotion during the viewing process.
