Deep love for Hanoi by a southern painter

Jenna Duong

Dec 16, 2023 / 02:20 PM

Watercolors depicting Hanoi street life by a southern painter are on display in the ongoing exhibition at Ho Guom Culture Center in No.2, Le Thai To Street, Hanoi.

For the first time, a painting exhibition of the young southern painter Hoang Phong is on display in downtown Hanoi until October 29.

The ancient Quan Chuong Gate (located in Hanoi's Old Quarter) as painted by Hoang Phuong.

The cultural event is organized by the Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter Management Board to mark the 69th anniversary of the capital's Liberation Day (October 10, 1954-2023).

Fifty-four artworks from a collection of 100 watercolor paintings on the theme of Hanoi by painter Hoang Phong, 36, will take viewers on a journey back to the old days of Hanoi.

The dreamy beauty of Hanoi's Autumn makes even the most discerning soul want to love it, write poems or compose music in its praise. Artist Hoang Phuong is no exception. He said he loves Hanoi, which he visits almost every year, with all his heart and nostalgia.

Hanoi in the young artist's works is poetic and beautiful, with highlights being the old French-style architectural works, the streets carpeted with yellow leaves or a deserted alley.

At the opening ceremony of the exhibition on October 10, Trinh Hoang Tung, Deputy Chairman of Hoan Kiem District People's Committee, said that Hanoi is experiencing its most beautiful autumn days.

The Sword Lake on a Winter's day

"Hanoi's Autumn always evokes indescribable emotions in everyone's heart and serves as an endless source of inspiration for artists, including Saigon painter Hoang Phong," he said..

Hoang Phong said he started painting about Hanoi in 2017. All the paintings on display at "A Little Love for the City" have been booked by art collectors. So far, Hanoi has given the artist the most inspiration for his work, so much so that he stays here for months in search of painting materials. Thus, Phong paints Hanoi not only in the present, but also through the artist's emotions and imagination.

"Hanoi has captured my heart," he says, "My love for Hanoi doesn't come from the perspective of others or through poetry; it comes from a deep subjective feeling. I love the dreamy mornings or late at night when the streets are so quiet and peaceful," the artist shared his affection for the capital.

"Opening a photo exhibition on the anniversary of the capital's liberation day is an honor and a memorable milestone in my career," he added.

Born in Ho Chi Minh City in 1987, Hoang Phong is a member of Ho Chi Minh City-based painting organizations such as Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Association, Mekong Art Club, and others.