Dang Van Quynh and the breathing rhythms of the city
About artist Dang Van Quynh
Born in 1982 in Hanoi, Dang Van Quynh grew up embracing the soul of the old quarter, shaped by layers of culture and the vibrant urban pulse. He graduated from the Hanoi College of Industrial Fine Arts in 2007, and is a member of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association and the Young Artists’ Club, also part of the association.
From the outset of his career, Dang Van Quynh’s art has been featured in numerous exhibitions. Beginning with a group show in Hanoi in 2007, he continued with exhibitions in Hanoi and the Ho Chi Minh Museum in 2009. In 2010, he took part in the landmark “1000 Years of Thang Long – Hanoi” exhibition, as well as the National Exhibition in Hanoi.
Today, his paintings are found in private and institutional collections across Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, France, Australia, the UK, the United States, and beyond. This is a testament to how his art deeply connects not only with Vietnamese audiences, but also with collectors around the world.
Portrait of artist Dang Van Quynh
Urban breaths: Dang Van Quynh’s artistic vision
Art has a special function, which is to “pass on memories”. However, it is not enough to only store it in words and only hold it by writers. We must consider other types of art besides poetry, especially visual art such as painting because it is truly “repainting” a living world. It is also a very personal perspective of the artist at that time.
One of the people who is passionate about accumulating memories from what they see is artist Dang Van Quynh. He was born in 1982, a child raised in the cradle of art and culture of the country – Hanoi. Dang Van Quynh graduated from Hanoi University of Industrial Fine Arts in 2007. He has had many exhibitions at home and abroad, his works are kept in art collections in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and France, Australia, America and many other countries.
Artist Dang Van Quynh lived a leisurely life, tasting every corner of the capital and then capturing the breath of this place and putting it into his work. It must be said that only people who have loved someone somewhere can tell it – no matter what style of writing – in the most honest way. Because memories, love or emotions are not easy things to lie about, it is a taboo for artists if they want to create works that make others moved. Except for artists who have reached the master level of Surrealism and created their own space-time, forcing emotions into a scene that they have never understood will lead to As a result, the artist loses connection with both the viewer and himself. Viewers have difficulty understanding what they see and artists no longer know who they are in the work they create.
Dang Van Quynh’s paintings are a harmony between romantic and realistic brushstrokes. Because he has looked in that scene long enough to see the specific depths and stories, Dang Van Quynh always knows how to distill every precious detail so that those seemingly small things, in turn, tell the story. The story is much larger in scope. He captured the beauty of Hanoi in the yellowing walls tinged with time, the beautiful and poetic windows under the porch filled with sunshine and flowers. Small motorbikes and bicycles nestled next to doors, shops, and sidewalks. He “searched” for scenes familiar to the people of the old town but brought a new visual angle to them with a very special color thinking.
Dang Van Quynh’s use of color is divided into two main directions: depicting scenes with contrasting, colorful arrays of colors or minimizing colors so that the scene’s hues tell their story. Whether it is monochrome or a combination of many colors, Dang Van Quynh’s skillful understanding and practice of lighting for landscapes has made viewers rethink the ups and downs of the city. Perhaps Dang Van Quynh’s use of color and spatial thinking is his own characteristic, like a way to refresh the spirit and wash away old visual perspectives. And when we look at life through the eyes of artists, we realize that they have the same topic but they create unrepeatable values.
Notable Works by Dang Van Quynh
Flower Alley
Flower Alley is a 100 x 150 cm oil on canvas by Dang Van Quynh. The painting opens a gentle urban vignette, where beauty is found not in grandeur but in the poetry of an intimate street corner.
From its title, Flower Alley conjures images of alleys bright with blooms and filtered light,a recurring motif in quynh’s art, where urban settings are softened by nature and human presence. The sizeable canvas makes this an inviting choice for displays in spaces that need a warm, artistic focal point,ideal for living rooms, home offices, reception areas, or any interior that treasures the nostalgia of Vietnam’s old streets.
"Flower Alley", an artwork by Dang Van Quynh
Sunny Street
Sunny Street, measuring 90 x 150 cm, is another striking oil painting by Dang Van Quynh. While Flower Alley evokes gentle lyricism, Sunny Street pulses with energy, light, and urban rhythm.
This painting highlights Quynh’s skill in orchestrating space,combining architectural forms, interplay of light and shadow, and a disciplined color palette to create remarkable depth. The subtle yet distinctive treatment of color avoids overcomplication, allowing the rhythm of sunlight across walls and walkways to take center stage. Such a work enlivens a lounge, study, spacious hallway, or any restful area that seeks a warm, tranquil ambiance.
Dang Van Quynh's "Sunny Street" showcases a striking contrast of light and dark tones
Falling Leaf Season
Measuring 95 x 110 cm, Falling Leaf Season is a contemplative oil painting by Dang Van Quynh. Its composition is deceptively simple, yet meticulous touches,the detail in every window frame, each drifting leaf,evoke the quiet transformation of the city over time.
Falling Leaf Season is not just a cityscape, but also a meditation on the passage of time. It appeals to collectors drawn to subtle beauty and artworks that bring emotional depth to their living spaces.
"Falling Leaf Season", an oil painting by Dang Van Quynh
To explore further into the unique vision of artist Dang Van Quynh and view his latest oil paintings, visit the curated selection at Green Palm Gallery.
|
GREEN PALM GALLERY Gallery in Ha Noi: 39 Hang Gai, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
Gallery in HCM City: 49 Mac Thi Buoi, HCM City, Viet Nam
|