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| The horse paintings by renowned artist Le Ba Dang truly captivate viewers |
During the days leading up to the Binh Ngo Lunar New Year, the exhibition space of “Horses with the Colors of Binh Ngo Spring 2026” at the Le Ba Dang Art Center, a part of Hue Fine Arts Museum (located at 15 Le Loi Street, Thuan Hoa Ward) has become a destination for art lovers, especially those interested in zodiac-themed paintings.
Though sharing the common theme of horses - the zodiac animal of Binh Ngo 2026 - the exhibited works are diverse in materials and rich in visual language. In an art space named after the renowned artist Le Ba Dang, naturally, there are his horse paintings. Using primarily paper and oil paint, the artist’s zodiac year paintings take viewers through a wide range of emotions through exceptionally unique creative techniques and perspectives.
Viewing the horse paintings by this artist from Quang Tri, one can see the spiritual unity between human and horse. The colors in the paintings are full of inner strength, flowing gracefully through each stroke, making viewers feel as if they've entered a world both fantastical and real. Some abstract horse paintings are stylized, while others are realistic, capturing the very soul of the animal.
Ms. Pham Quy Hien Hau, a guide at Hue Fine Arts Museum that houses the artistic legacy of renowned artist Le Ba Dang, shared that this talented artist once said: “Horses have conquered my heart. Horses and I are like kites and wind. The wind blows, and the kite flies. Strong winds carry the kite to infinite heights... The horse is me, just as I am the horse.” And indeed, the renowned artist’s horse paintings have conquered art admirers.
“Horses with the colors of Binh Ngo Spring 2026” also features many other artists from Da Nang, Quang Tri, and Hue. Each artist’s work at this gathering, though expressed in different forms with diverse materials such as oil paint, lacquer, acrylic, ceramics, iron, aluminum, powder colors, mixed materials, monoprint... creates a joyful, exciting atmosphere. There, the horse symbol with Binh Ngo spring is a world between illusion and reality. All the spiritual and physical transformations of people appear in the horse portraits, expressed very dynamically and captivatingly.
Horses are not just static figures on canvas but have the ability to move, exuding spiritual life in their eyes and smiles: sad horses, happy horses, contemplative horses, horses as companions sharing joys and sorrows while overcoming difficulties and challenges... Viewing the herd of horses as the Binh Ngo spring approaches, viewers seem to feel the spirit, values, and aesthetic taste not only of the artists but subtly conveying the joyful message of the spring atmosphere.
While horses in paintings of artist Le Van Nhuong have a solemn and dignified appearance, horses through artist Nguyen Thien Duc’s strokes are powerful in spirit but stylized softly with yellow apricot blossom patterns heralding a coming spring. Or the Year of the Horse zodiac through the eyes of artists Phan Thanh Binh, Tran Vinh Thinh, Pham Trinh..., though expressed in different styles, bring stirring emotions.
Artist Tran Vinh Thinh shared that he really enjoys painting zodiac animals and paints very spontaneously. Particularly for the Year of the Horse, the horse image is already very familiar and close to Vietnamese people, so depicting it on canvas is both easy and difficult.
As for Thinh, there are many nuances when painting horses. Horses can be gentle, strong, sometimes diligent, like pack horses in mountainous regions, but also dignified when placed at historical sites. “With my brush technique, I want to paint decisively, condensing in just a few strokes the horses mentioned above, as if sharing a part of culture and my own feelings toward a lovely, friendly, and powerfully breakthrough zodiac animal,” shared artist Tran Vinh Thinh.
And regardless of nuances, brush techniques, or materials, the horses depicted on canvas during Binh Ngo spring seem to convey a message about a spring that is not only joyful but overflowing with hope for a new year waiting ahead.