Two artists from the same class, same house, same studio and same exhibition We

triển lãm - Ảnh 1. — Many colleagues and students came to enjoy the exhibition of Mr. Hung and Ms. Duoc - Photo: H.VY

The exhibition "We - The Journey" introduces more than 50 paintings full of joy and happiness by the artist couple Cao Thi Duoc and Nguyen The Hung, on display until September 7 at Chillala - House of Art (75 Xuan Thuy, An Khanh ward, Ho Chi Minh City).

A large number of art lovers, colleagues and generations of students came to congratulate the two artists on their first joint exhibition after more than 40 years together.

Simple art 'party' of school friends and life partners

"We are classmates and also life partners. I chose the theme 'journey' to mark the period when we have been together on a very peaceful and happy path in art" - painter Cao Thi Duoc confided simply but also emotionally.

Because it is not easy at the age of U70 to still keep the passion burning after so many ups and downs, still roam the roads together, still be inspired to paint together, and to have a joint exhibition for the first time in so many years.

Mr. Hung and Ms. Duoc have known each other and been close since they were art students in the 1980s. They both love painting, but the hardships of life prevented the two artists from freely pursuing their passion. They chose to put their own dreams on hold to fulfill their responsibilities to their families and society.

For many years, both of them struggled to make a living, took care of their children, and devoted themselves to their teaching career, inspiring generations of artists and designers from the art school.

triển lãm - Ảnh 2. — Young people quietly admire a corner of artist Cao Thi Duoc's painting at the exhibition - Photo: H.VY

Ms. Duoc still quietly painted late at night. As for Mr. Hung, it was not until after 2007 that he picked up a brush again, painted a lot but only put the unfinished paintings in storage.

Then time passed, the children grew up, and it was time for the couple to return to their passion that had always been burning. So they were free to travel and wander everywhere to live their lives to the fullest with art.

In 2024, Ms. Duoc launched her first exhibition, A Quiet Journey , which touched people with very real and life-like paintings that she had painstakingly painted for over 20 years.

By 2025, both of them will hold an exhibition called We - The Journey, displaying new paintings drawn over the past year. Ms. Duoc calls them "green memories", the colors of a peaceful life and beautiful nature.

triển lãm - Ảnh 3. — Painters Nguyen The Hung and Cao Thi Duoc with their two paintings at the exhibition - Photo: H.VY

The two artists expressed their "very humble" artistic views. Both of them like to immerse themselves in nature, feeling the beauty of each rock, or even the reeds on the wandering path can create emotions.

Then trips to see the snow-capped mountains in Nepal, the breathtaking autumn in Pakistan, the sunrise over the Sahara desert, or the peaceful beauty of the emerald green city of Morocco... All come into their paintings naturally, vividly like a gift from heaven.

"We draw, draw about the journey of two friends in their 70s, draw to see the value of each painting because it is the effort of two older friends. At this age, having a companion who understands you is happiness, and being able to draw, drawing all the time, there is nothing more precious.

We want to bring to the public a simple but peaceful and happy art party. Hopefully the exhibition of the 'old couple' will also be an inspiration for the elderly, who are still healthy, to find something about art to enjoy, to see the poetic life" - Ms. Cao Thi Duoc smiled.

triển lãm - Ảnh 4. — A colorful painting corner by artists Nguyen The Hung and Cao Thi Duoc - Photo: H.VY

The beauty of love and art

What is special is that although they have always accompanied each other throughout, the paintings of the two artists are very different, bearing the characteristics of each person's personal style and personality.

Ms. Duoc's paintings are sharp and incisive, with colors and lines that tend to be decorative, in the style of wild animals. Mr. Hung's paintings are rustic, simple, and emotional with interwoven brushstrokes. One is strong and fierce, the other is gentle and kind.

Two different styles, but when combined, create a harmonious space, making viewers moved by the perfect blend of love and art.

triển lãm - Ảnh 5. — The paintings of Mr. Hung and Ms. Duoc clearly show their own style when placed next to each other - Photo: H.VY

According to artist Nguyen Duy Nhut, Cao Thi Duoc's paintings are sharp, rhythmic images that reflect multiple layers of life, filled with worries but still imbued with simple, everyday Southern sentiment.

Meanwhile, artist Nguyen The Hung seems to have undergone a dramatic transformation. His new series of paintings makes viewers feel as if they have entered a captivating visual world where Vincent van Gogh returns to create but in the context of the vibrant Asian and African lands.

Placed side by side, their paintings are like two halves of one entity. One side is calm, thoughtful, and deeply immersed in indigenous cultural materials; the other side is free-spirited, full of light and excitement. The parallel flow of these two streams is a living proof of the harmony in love, life, and art.

triển lãm - Ảnh 6. — Young people look at paintings by artist Nguyen The Hung at the exhibition - Photo: H.VY

"Looking at the paintings full of vitality, we cannot help but be surprised: it turns out that when artists return to themselves, they can suddenly explode like a spring gushing after many years of flowing underground.

From that perfection, they continue to inspire the community who love beauty: live to fulfill your duty and then live your passion to the fullest. Because of that balance, people can reach the fullness of human life" - artist Nguyen Duy Nhut expressed.