The young artist Thanh Nguyen, a former student of the Da Nang Architecture University, features 20 lotus paintings recently introduced to the public at the exhibition "Whispers of the Lotus." Using white lotus as the main motif, the author has portrayed a story of modesty, and shyness yet noble, pure, and pristine beauty, reminiscent of the character of a young girl in her youth.

Foreign audiences expressed their fascination with the oil paintings of lotus flowers by artist Thanh Nguyen. Photo: T.Y

The cosy atmosphere at the TRIS Gallery art exhibition space at Furama Resort Da Nang enhances the visibility of Thanh Nguyen's oil paintings depicting lotus flowers and young women. Standing in front of the artwork "Embracing the Sun," painted with oil on canvas, Mr Brian Smith, a British tourist, remarked that he was drawn to the vibrant yellow blending with white lotus flowers in the oil paint. Every symbol, from the blooming lotus bud to the seeds in the lotus pond, beside the withered yellow leaves, depicts a unique and enclosed circle of the flower's life.

Having seen lotus flowers "in real life," Mr Brian Smith believes that oil paint has brought a new vitality to the national flower of Viet Nam. "It's fascinating to envision not only the beauty of the lotus but also the artist's free and soaring brushstrokes. Every line seems to pile up, complementing each other with a full range of artistic emotions," commented by him.

Throughout the exhibition "Whispers of the Lotus," the artworks, painted with oil on canvas, revolve around the themes of young women and lotus flowers. These have been the focus of the artist's recent creative endeavours. As shared by Thanh Nguyen, the pure and gentle beauty of the young girl in her full moon youth inspires him to connect these "subjects" within a single frame. The challenge lies in how to depict the soft lines of the young woman while simultaneously conveying the elevated character of a human next to a flower that is "near mud but it does not stink like mud."

Choosing the material and technique of oil painting on canvas, Thanh Nguyen believes that the strength of this art form lies in delivering bright, vibrant colours with depth. Additionally, depending on the artist's intention, the layer of paint can either be kept thin or stacked to create impressive waves of colour. Moreover, this type of paint is resistant to environmental and temporal influences, maintaining its bright and vivid colours over many years. "With oil paint, I don't delve into detailed descriptions in the painting but focus on colour, brushwork, effects, and the rhythm of colour to evoke a lively and sparkling image of the lotus," expressed by the artist.

In a different approach, artworks such as " Early Morning Mist," "Next to Lotus," "Buddha's Shadow," and "Fading Sun" evoke a sense of tranquillity with predominant colours of green, brown, black, and pale pink. Hua Dinh Nam Kha, the head of the Vietnamese Fine Arts Association in Da Nang, praised these works for their exquisite and art-loving brushstrokes, seemingly radiating the beauty and fragrance of the lotus, touching the hearts of the viewers. In the beauty of the lotus, we can perceive modesty, and shyness yet nobility, and purity.

According to Nam Kha, the exhibition "Whispers of the Lotus," displayed in the elegant and cosy space of a 5-star hotel, is not only an opportunity for foreign audiences to appreciate the refined beauty of Viet Nam's national flower but also a chance to bring them closer to the unique beauty of oil paintings by a young artist. Nam Kha stated, "Thanh Nguyen's works explore familiar themes, but they are by no means simple or dull. On the contrary, through a well-trained artistic technique, each of his works is a different, outstanding, and captivating manifestation of the lotus, full of unique and attractive emotions."

As a master of visual arts, the quality of Thanh Nguyen's oil paintings on canvas has been highly praised by the art community for their depth and sophistication. In addition, his creative content carries a strong imprint on Vietnamese culture. By conveying unique and refined perspectives on this subject matter, he contributes to creating exquisite, profound, and highly impressive works of art for the audience.

Thanh Nguyen revealed that, depending on his emotions, each painting is usually created over 3 days to several months. Apart from the time spent painting, the artist dedicates time to real-life experiences in lotus fields, observing images of young girls posing with lotus flowers to gather materials and creative inspiration. In his opinion, any combination, from colour, and material, to the "subject," and artistic technique, aims for harmony, balance, and most importantly, a gentle and pure touch.

Reporting by TIEU YEN - Translating by T.VY