Nguyen Minh Son

1. Biography and art career:

. In 1971: Born in Bac Ninh City.

· In 2000: Graduated from College of Fine Art in Hanoi.

· 1996 – 2000: Taking part in art exhibitions in Hanoi.

· 2001 – 2002: Displaying pictures in the Contemporary Center of Hanoi.

· In 2002: Displaying artworks at the College of Fine Art in Ha Noi.

· In 2003: Having an exhibition in London.

· In 2004: Solo exhibition at Hilton Hotel in Hanoi.

· In 2005: Exhibition in the Nation and Singapore.

· In 2006: Solo exhibition in USA – Group exhibition in Singapore.

· In 2008, May, Solo exhibition in USA

The artist have got married and have two children, a son and a daughter. His wife is a fine art teacher. At present, he is a free artist.

Nguyen Minh Son was born and grew up in the North. His dreams were inspired by the scratch and colors of the famous and traditional Dong Ho style – the folk paintings – combined with the knowledge of modern paintings he got from the study at Hanoi Fine Arts University (Nguyen Minh Son graduated in 2000). He early managed to create his own way (not yet a style) in his art career. Moving away from Thang Long – Hanoi – the centre of the most modern painting schools, Nguyen Minh Son quietly came back to find and depict the quiet beauty of the countryside. With his distinctive art of painting, so naïve and simple, he brought the feelings of purity and identity to the viewers. Under his brush is the blue sky, green trees, red leaves, simple houses and small boatss, all in legendary colours. They are so real and virtual. Nguyen Minh Son prefers pure and strong colours such as: red, yellow, orange, and blue because when combined together, they create romantic and charming effects. Nguyen Minh Son’s paintings imply a vivid life although there isn’t the presence of humans. This vitality is formed by the strokes, which seem to be either careless or considerate in the lay-out that appears to be natural, but in fact, close to details. It is his strength, and way of expressing his inner feelings. Art lovers can easily recognize his works based on his repetitive style of painting, which focuses on describing clouds, skies, houses, trees, sandy beaches, and the sea… with cold or warm colours in order to show the vague sadness.

Painting landscapes as a way to express one’s inner state is one of the approaches that reaches the deeper dimensions of art. To Dong Pha said: “People paint not merely to confine themselves to depicting the things they see, but to grasp the vital energy of forms in order to pursue the full range of their transformations and bring them into the painting.” Every time Truong Ngan Vien took up the brush to paint a landscape, it was to “probe the transformations of the spirit.” As for Thach Dao, his landscape paintings attained the idea of “the great principle of transformation that ensures the continuity of the world.”

The works of Nguyễn Minh Sơn, in terms of artistic intention, also tend toward a return to Eastern painting, like the ancient Chinese masters. His paintings have already achieved initial successes in local exhibitions, national exhibitions, and shows both within and outside the country—something that not all painters or sculptors (of any generation or period) can easily accomplish.

Having affirmed his own artistic voice and reaped the fruits of creative labor through his works… Is this a source of positive encouragement, or is it itself a great challenge for the painter Nguyễn Minh Sơn?

2. The path to becoming a painter? Please talk about your starting point and what sparked your passion for art.

My father was also a painter, and it was he who initiated and created the conditions for my artistic studies, as well as nurtured my passion for drawing from a young age.

3. What is your creating style?

I am a painter who loves nature and the everyday activities of life. I freely create my own expressive style for my landscape paintings.

4. What inpires you? And who is your mentor or idol?

Nature itself is my source of inspiration. I always see beauty in life. My idols are Van Gogh and Leonardo da Vinci.

5. What makes you different from other painters in Vietnam? What makes you unique or more special than others?

I have my own way of viewing the philosophy of life as well as my own conception of art. It is about painting in a way that expresses myself—so that my work cannot be confused with that of any other artist.

6. How do you observe Vietnam and the outside world?

Vietnam is in a period of renewal and integration. My task as a painter is to find a way to both preserve and promote our existing cultural traditions while not becoming outdated, and at the same time keeping pace with the world’s current level of development.

7. What are your likes and dislikes?

I don’t like talking too much or debating too much, as it only creates conflicts between different viewpoints. I prefer to paint and let my artworks explain the language I want to convey.

8. Why do you use this medium (material) or style?

For me, oil paint is wonderful. My style and my way of painting are very well suited to this medium.

9. What message are you trying to convey through your artworks? If you have an overarching message, please express it.

I want people, when looking at my paintings, to feel more love for nature and for life—to appreciate the most ordinary and simplest things. At times, my paintings evoke nostalgia and also remind people to protect the natural environment so that we can all enjoy its inherent beauty.

10. Do any of these messages contain political, personal, or other thoughts or emotions?

I paint from emotion and from memories of what I know and have experienced — evoking in me a powerful feeling for nature, the origin of humankind.

11. What are ypur ideologies and artistic viewpoints?

My ideas are not complicated; they are as simple as what already exists and endures in nature.

12. Who are you, and why should people buy or collect your artworks?

In life, it seems that the simple and unadorned things are the ones closest and most familiar to human beings.