Innocence in Hoang Phuong Vy’s paintings
Hoang Phuong Vy is a well-established name in the Vietnamese art scene. As the son of the late poet Hoang Trung Thong, he was introduced to the world of art from a young age. This early start nurtured his passion for painting,a passion that never waned. Mention his name, and art lovers instantly recall that innocent, almost childlike world he creates, but beneath its apparent simplicity is a notable sophistication. His paintings invite viewers into a landscape of bright hues, youthful figures, and seemingly impulsive compositions that reveal deeper layers of meaning.
About Hoang Phuong Vy
Born in 1962 in Hanoi, Hoang Phuong Vy grew up surrounded by art and literature, thanks to his father, Hoang Trung Thong. This unique family environment cultivated in him a nuanced sense of aesthetics, where every painting becomes not simply an image but a fragment of memory,a story told through colors and forms.
He is a graduate of hanoi university of architecture, and his works have been showcased at major exhibitions across the United States, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, China, and Vietnam.
Although trained as an architect, Hoang Phuong Vy’s art is not constrained by rigid forms or technical precision. Instead, he has chosen an emotional path,stripping shapes down to their essence, using colors freely, and constructing spaces that feel both familiar and dreamlike, bridging everyday life and the imagination of a child.
Hoang Phuong Vy during the creative process
A Naive Perspective in Every Brushstroke
With simple yet sharp drawings and vivid color play, Hoang Phuong Vy has left in the viewer’s mind a brilliant sky where concepts can freely play. Poet Nguyen Quang Thieu (Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association) wrote: “I see many patterns on Vy paintings. Simple, rustic, strong, sturdy. To me, those are cultural codes located somewhere in the layered artifacts of contemporary life.” He himself once said: “Drawing is a journey to find yourself.”
Hoang Phuong Vy is one of the few artists who follows the “Naïve art” school of Vietnamese painting. Throughout the paintings, that style of writing and aesthetic spirit is evident from the little girls and boys holding chickens, fish, holding fans, playing flutes, houses to the childishness of even adult characters. Distinguished by his simple, concise drawing style, Hoang Phuong Vy always places two separate objects, or sometimes two spaces next to each other, in the same small space.
Red next to blue, red next to pink, yellow next to brown, the colors are against smooth harmony, it doesn’t care about the principles in books that make the whole work impressive, leaving behind somewhat startled, or too gentle to the point of naivety. That’s why his paintings are always separate and independent – a childlike world separated between reality and absurdity, between luxury and spaciousness.
Notable Works by Hoang Phuong Vy
Within the collection at Green Palm Gallery, several works by Hoang Phuong Vy exemplify naive art’s storytelling power. These three paintings highlight different facets of his colorful universe, from composition and rhythm to the atmosphere of youth.
Symmetry
This oil painting (120 x 105 cm) immediately evokes notions of balance. Yet for Hoang Phuong Vy, symmetry is not about rigid order, rather, it creates a subtle interplay between stability and motion.
The symmetry does not impose stillness. Instead, it serves as a canvas for dynamic colors and figures to express themselves. This complexity,the suggestion of openness within simplicity,is a signature aspect of his work.
"Symmetry", a painting by Hoang Phuong Vy
Little Drummer
Little Drummer (80 x 80 cm, oil on canvas) places a child musician at center stage, conjuring sensations of sound, rhythm, and pure childhood joy. Children are not just subjects in Hoang Phuong Vy’s art, they are emblems of an unfiltered perspective on life, unbound by adult logic.
This painting is akin to a visual melody, simple lines, bright colors, and an endearing theme merge to create warmth and intimacy. It awakens memories of childhood, when happiness could be sparked by a single sound, a fleeting game, or a moment of boundless imagination.
"Little Drummer" by Hoang Phuong Vy showcases playful, imaginative linework
Summer Night
In Summer Night (80 x 80 cm, oil on canvas), viewers are transported to the simple delight of children during a festive summer evening. This is Hoang Phuong Vy’s naive art at its finest: bold blocks of color and understated details evoke a dreamlike childhood realm.
Summer Night isn’t just a time of day, it is an ambiance,a fusion of light, play, excitement, and tranquility. Through his unadorned artistic language, Hoang Phuong Vy transforms ordinary scenes into emotionally resonant works of art.
"Summer Night", an artwork by Hoang Phuong Vy
To learn more about artist Hoang Phuong Vy and explore a broader spectrum of contemporary Vietnamese art, visit the collection at Green Palm Gallery,founded in 1996, with exhibition spaces in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
|
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
|