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| Writer and translator Buu Y viewing the artworks |
Held in the garden space of Boi Tran Garden on Kim Son Hill (Thuy Xuan Ward, Hue City), the exhibition theme “The Dream of Dreams” conveys the sentiments of the organizer as well as the presence and contributions of renowned painters.
The continuation of dreams
The exhibition, set in a lush green garden with works by eight painters displayed outdoors on the grass, created a poetic and peaceful atmosphere - one that perhaps can only be found in Hue. Alongside master artists, the works of younger painters contributed to a meaningful continuation of artistic expression.
At this exhibition, painter Phan Thanh Binh offered viewers a modern perspective expressed through an “architecture of color” in his works Garden of Eden, Shadow of Time, and Echo. Formerly an educator and the former Rector of the University of Arts, Hue University, Phan Thanh Binh brings to his painting a mindset that is both romantic and deeply rational.
Rather than imposing order onto his paintings, Phan Thanh Binh uses geometry to search for structure within the chaos of emotions. Working with acrylic through techniques of layering and the dynamic interaction of forms and planes, he creates compositions where, within this emotional order, unexpected bursts of radiant light and shifting spatial depth emerge.
Viewing the works of Binh, art lovers may feel as though they are witnessing an explosion of light constructed through layered brushstrokes. The spiritual sanctuary in nature, expressed through Phan Thanh Binh’s brushwork, is not merely a visual effect but also a reflection of inner resilience and depth of soul.
If the name Phan Thanh Binh is already a familiar one, the painter Le Huu Long has remained almost “reclusive” in his own distinctive artistic journey. For that reason, when the works of this Hue-born artist (born in 1988) were displayed, many viewers were deeply struck and overwhelmed by their impact.
With a strong artistic personality, Le Huu Long consistently chooses direct painting from life as a way to engage in a direct dialogue with nature, Hue’s cultural heritage, and his own emotions. His work clearly reveals a refined synthesis of Impressionist and Expressionist techniques, where each brushstroke does more than depict scenery - it conveys feelings, capturing the very essence of a place at the moment of creation. This distinctive mark is evident in his two works inspired by Hue’s heritage: Green Imperial Palace and Ngo Dong Fragrance.
May the dream spread its scent
Also featured in this gathering, the works of Hoang Dang Khanh were likened to someone quietly weaving verses of poetry. His artistic personality carries a profound sense of stillness, guiding viewers into a world where time seems to slow down and unfold into a gentle poem.
The most distinctive feature of Hoang Dang Khanh’s style is its romantic quality - romantic to … drifting. Through these works, one can truly appreciate his special talent for using color to soften contours, making forms appear weightless and fragile, as if floating in a haze.
With the presence of well-known painters such as Tran Nguyen Dan, Nguyen Vu Lan, and Tran Anh Huy, the exhibition also became a vibrant gathering of colors, touching the emotions of all who visited.
The organizers shared that the very theme of the exhibition evokes a poetic image. It speaks to the persistence of imagination - where dreams quietly continue from one generation to the next, preserving memory while opening new possibilities. Within this space, landscapes, abstract forms, urban scenes, … flashing by or imagined worlds intertwine, … they all are like pieces of a larger vision.
Ms. Tran Dinh Thuc Doan - manager of Boi Tran Garden and advisor to the exhibition - shared: “For us, the exhibition is also the continuation of a long-cherished aspiration. It is a dream brought to light, nurtured by distinguished guests, lifelong friends across generations, and young people just beginning their creative journeys. We hope the exhibition will become a bridge, allowing them to carry their dreams to this garden. From here, they may set sail toward new lands - places where our dreams can spread their fragrance and bloom alongside friends from around the world.”