Artist Dao Hai Phong independently searches for a new reality
Artist Dao Hai Phong stands among the most influential figures in contemporary Vietnamese art. In his paintings, landscapes transcend the familiar imagery of villages, rooftops, ponds, or streaks of sunset; they become emotional spaces, distilled from memories and feelings. Following his own artistic path, Dao Hai Phong has built a painterly universe that is both recognizable and unique, at once rooted in reality yet imbued with dream and reverie.
Biography of artist Dao Hai Phong
Born in 1965 in Hanoi, Dao Hai Phong grew up in a profoundly artistic family, an environment that nurtured his sensitivity to images, space, and color from an early age. His father, dao duc, was an internationally awarded filmmaker and served as art director for Vietnam's first narrative film, "On the Same River”, released in 1959.
In 1987, Dao Hai Phong graduated from the College of Scriptwriting and Cinematography, furthering his studies in graphic design for film. By 1992, he was designing at the Vietnam Film Studio,rapidly rising to principal designer,before embarking on his independent career as an artist. He is also a member of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association.
Since the 1990s, Dao Hai Phong has participated in numerous exhibitions both in Vietnam and abroad. Notable highlights include "Ky Uc Ha Noi" (Hanoi Memories) held by the Vietnam Fine Arts Association in 1993, "Vietnamese Art" at Roy Miles Gallery in London in 1994, "A Glimpse of Hanoi" in Ho Chi Minh City in 1997, and "Pure and Piercing Colour" in Switzerland in 1999.
His works are marked by a quiet, introspective atmosphere and evoke a sense of peace and nostalgia, focusing on landscapes that often blur the boundaries of place and time.
Dao Hai Phong’s solitary quest for new artistic realities
The birth of photography has caused world art to be reborn and transformed into a new source of energy. Simulation of reality is no longer the main thing artists seek and that has transformed into different schools of Contemporary art. “Instead of trying to copy what the eyes see, I want to use color more flexibly to vividly express myself” - Quote from Van Gogh.
And it seems that that is what Dao Hai Phong “gained” from the masters of painting, then went in search of a new reality, far beyond what humans can see/hear/see. While Impressionist painters loved natural harmony and color, painters pursuing Expressionism like Dao Hai Phong wanted to immerse themselves in the “landscape” inside their souls; to not see things with the eyes as they are, but feel with the eyes of the heart.
Dao Hai Phong once said that no painter dares to refuse their master; However, whether we let what we see “die” our imagination is another matter. For Dao Hai Phong, “nature” is just a stepping stone, a suggestion to help him in creating his own new reality.
Choosing a landscape theme, but from his perspective, each tree, mound of straw, leaf, and sky are special with impressive color play. Contrasting, conflicting color pairs are always used in works. Things are just an excuse to satisfy this talented artist’s “thirst for color”, but it’s all just to pamper the eyes and eyes of the art lovers stopping by. your soul.
“I think, to turn something ordinary into something extraordinary, something extraordinary is a terrible challenge for every artist. But Dao Hai Phong chose, committed and created the path named after himself,” poet Nguyen Quang Thieu shared. Indeed, Dao Hai Phong has revived the old visual spaces that we see. By reviving a creative reality in visual thinking that seems to be “dead” from the perspective of art viewers.
The tree is green, the sky is blue, the ground is brown… Why do we limit ourselves to such a “human” perspective when even considering the perspective of other species (such as bees?), completely changed again?
Dao Hai Phong is truly a lucky artist to escape the grip of reality to see all the colors in this world with his own eyes.
Selected Works by Dao Hai Phong
Golden Sunset
“Golden Sunset” is a 95 x 100 cm oil painting by Dao Hai Phong. Its title evokes the familiar yet fleeting moment when day transitions into stillness. The canvas is suffused with golden light,simultaneously warm and distant,casting a nostalgic, dreamlike atmosphere that seems to hover on the threshold of memory.
This work is ideal for spaces seeking both warmth and visual impact. Rather than relying on intricate detail, “Golden Sunset” captivates with its vibrant color field. For admirers of contemporary Vietnamese landscape painting, this piece is an outstanding example of how Dao Hai Phong transforms reality into a realm of poetic contemplation.
Dao Hai Phong's "Golden Sunset" captures the peaceful beauty of a glowing sunset
Autumn Night
“Autumn Night” is an oil on canvas, 95 x 100 cm, conjuring a space rich in lyricism. Night evokes silence, autumn, the ripeness of time, gentle light, and a touch of chill. In Dao Hai Phong’s worlds, such sensations are rarely depicted literally,they are condensed into color, form, and rhythm.
“Autumn Night” is particularly notable for its use of contrasting colors to infuse the nocturnal landscape with emotional depth. Deep purples, blues, and reds convey a sense of quiet, mystery, and introspection, while bright highlights,yellows, greens,act as visual anchors. The painting offers solitude without coldness, stillness suffused with light. This poetic equilibrium between contrast and harmony gives the work its dreamlike, contemplative beauty.
"Autumn Night" by Dao Hai Phong showcases a dreamlike mood with contrasting color blocks
Blue Peaceful
“Blue Peaceful”, measuring 80 x 133 cm, is another oil painting by Dao Hai Phong. In his landscapes, blue is never just the hue of trees, skies, or water. Through exquisite brushwork and masterful color blending, blue emerges as the color of stillness, of distance, of memory softened by time.
If “Golden Sunset” is bathed in the warmth of the day’s final light, “Blue Peaceful” draws the viewer into a deeper, slower rhythm,the tranquility of blue at its core. This painting is a superb choice for those who appreciate serene landscapes and wish to bring a sense of quietude, but also a depth of spirit, into their living space.
"Blue Peaceful" one of the paintings available at Green Palm Gallery
Art lovers can discover more of Dao Hai Phong’s artworks at Green Palm Gallery. The gallery showcases a wide range of his oil paintings, complete with detailed information on materials, sizes, and the latest availability.
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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
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