Artist couple gets their first solo exhibition

“Tà xùa Peak” by Dương Ngọc Thăng.

HÀ NỘI – A painting exhibition by a couple, Nguyễn Thị Quỳnh and Dương Ngọc Thăng, has opened in Hà Nội. 

This is the first solo exhibition by the two artists, who were born in the mountainous Hà Giang Province and the northern Bắc Giang Province. Entitled Sắc Màu (The Colours), the exhibition features nearly 140 oil-on canvas paintings including portraits, still lifes and mountainous landscapes. 

The two artists were classmates at Việt Nam Fine Arts University. During their time of study, they sometimes amazed their friends with their paintings after fieldtrips.

“Mountainous landscape paintings are major in their works,” said fine arts critic Vũ Huy Thông. “Images of stilt-houses, maize fields, bamboo bushes or mountain ranges are as familiar as the blood in their veins so they draw them naturally with pure love.

A portrait by Nguyễn Thị Quỳnh.

“The artists are not simply making use of the chance to show off their creativity. The displayed paintings are rustic and full of sincerity, warmth and the artists’ enduring love of painting.”

At this exhibition, Thăng introduces most paintings that he has made in recent years. His paintings are not in a rush. He draws still life, landscape, woman and whatever he encounters that is not burdened by ideology. But he wants to hold on something aesthetic over time.  

Quỳnh explores gender in her still life paintings, featuring flowers and child portraits. The large or small size paintings by Quỳnh shows her sacrifice and strength.

A still life painting by Nguyễn Thị Quỳnh.

“Quỳnh prefers to be more meticulous, in life as well as in art,” said artist Đỗ Dũng. “As a wife and a mother, she sacrifices for her family, but she does not give up her passion for art. Her paintings always aim to perfect emotion.”

Some paintings by the couple’s son Dương Ngọc Tuệ are also displayed at the exhibition.

The exhibition runs until January 7 at 29 Hàng Bài Exhibition Centre. – VNS

Mountainous landscape by the couple’s son Dương Ngọc Tuệ.