Having been trained in lacquer painting at the University of Fine Arts, choosing lacquer as a graduation exam, in the past 10 years, artist Nguyen The Hung has switched to learning and practicing this material on another surface: lacquer on canvas. "Starting, Everywhere" is his latest solo exhibition, continuing his research and development direction.
The exhibition consists of 37 paintings with many sizes as a topic "The paintings in the rain" have been composed mainly in the past 2 years. The 3 main streaks that make the work are: memories, garden, and sunshine. The memory area of Hung hides the shape of the faces, the old garden blooming flowers and clouds, and the sunshine of the shadow of water. Hung's way is not to make the image clear and clear, he tends to draw this to show that, hide/ expose.
When mentioning rain, the series of paintings do not directly depict the rain during the process. We see more of the illusion of clouds and stagnant water - before or after the rain ends. If viewers do not feel a little wet, it is not unacceptable.
The two repeating patterns in the paintings are round dots and edges of the rectangular box, they end up as a network covering the entire surface of the painting. Their presence creates a sense of rhythm, while tying, anchoring something to prevent it from getting lost or dissolved. It is a painting mindset rather than a temporary painting emotion. Viewers who recognize them but are not uncomfortable or influenced must explain why they always appear there.
lacquer paintings require more technique and elaborateness than other materials. Not explained but everyone understands that lacquer paintings are originally painted on the figure (the wood blocks are carefully processed in many steps), bringing visual effects in terms of intensity, depth, and splendor. Although today, artists are always looking for richer lacquer paints, the basic characteristics of lacquer paintings are not easily confused. Painting lacquer on canvas is a step of exploration by Nguyen The Hung, which people can hardly imagine or experience.
With moderate finishing, using gold and silver on the painting surface and other techniques, Nguyen The Hung's finishing paintings on canvas have a luxurious yet approachable shade, especially in this exhibition - adding depth without gloom. Maybe over time, people's peace of mind will increase to realize their peace in life. When we are a part of nature, hidden and clear, to both enjoy and immerse ourselves in it.
Perhaps at that time, people will no longer wonder what they are the dot or links in the network spread around, or have to do a "dialogue between the past and the present ... connecting the past and the present", because such things are easy to become flute and slap. The art does not refuse the words of words for viewers to understand more about it, but if the language of words is stronger than the main language of the shaping face, the voice will become redundant or cliche.
The rain doesn't need to be talked about so that people can cool or cool, the sunlight doesn't need to be talked about so that we feel the warmth or burning, sometimes we wonder, the picture could be a rain or a lane of sunshine with such power?
Painter Nguyen The Hung was born in 1981 in Tuyen Quang. Graduated from Vietnam University of Fine Arts in 2009. Currently living and working in Hanoi. The exhibition "Start, Everywhere" takes place from April 12 to 26, 2025 at Indochine House Gallery, 32A Nha Chung, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.
