"Cõi An Thường" - An Exhibition by Nguyen Hoai Huong

From November 17-28, 2024, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts hosted "Cõi An Thường", an evocative exhibition featuring over 50 new lacquer paintings by renowned Vietnamese artist Nguyen Hoai Huong. The collection explored abstract experiments while evoking a deep nostalgia for rural life and cherished childhood memories.

As Tran Thanh Binh, the museum's director, remarked at the opening:

"The 'Cõi An Thường' exhibition not only showcases and celebrates these remarkable works of art but also invites the audience on a journey of inner exploration. We hope it will provide the public with precious moments of reflection amidst the rush of modern life."

In a 2002 interview, Hoai Huong described his unshakable commitment to his art:

"Painting has become a calling, an unshakable calling for a soul that cherishes art as deeply as I do throughout my life. For [me], painting is eternally a return, a genuine act of 'homecoming' to the artist's timeless creative homeland and the cherished place [I] always long to dwell in."

Journalist Nguyen Trong Chuc, a longtime friend of the artist, offered this poetic reflection:

"Hoai Huong quietly searches for what he loves, cherishes, longs for, and dreams of, with a touch of 'coquetry' that reflects his own personality... He remains gentle, unhurried, and continues to tirelessly seek... Returning to the 'Cõi An Thường'."

The exhibition also featured guided art tours and an insightful talkshow with the artist at the serene Nguyen's Art Garden. "Cõi An Thường" provided audiences an intimate glimpse into Hoai Huong's lifelong passion for capturing the essence of Vietnamese culture and spaces through his exquisite lacquer paintings. The exhibition stands as a testament to his artistic journey and unwavering love for his homeland.

Learn more about Nguyen Hoai Huong and his work at https://nguyenhoaihuongartist.com/