Voice of color -

This is the name of the newly published photo book by the couple of photographers Truong Hoang Them and Do Thuy Mai. With 111 works selected from thousands of photographic works in the creative careers of the two artists, the book is like a performance of light and color, with the main themes: S-shaped strip of land, Familiar figures, Light show. "Voice of color" won the Gold Medal of the 2023 Outstanding Photography Award of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists.

In the introduction to the book, writer Nguyen Ngoc Tu wrote: “For an artist, every work is precious, nurtured with sweat and effort. It will not be easy for the artist couple Hoang Them - Thuy Mai to choose 111 out of thousands of photos in their creative career to put into the publication “printed as a souvenir”, as they confided. Born from a simple intention, the book is not so humble, because many moments are preserved like amber, even when the scenery and people out there have been lost over the years. Each work is like a lasting memory, but as cruel as time, it has to give in. With so many images distilled, imbued with light and color by the artist, it is difficult to go through this book by hastily flipping through each page.

People's Artist Y Moan (2007). Photo: Truong Hoang Them

Slowly, quietly, sometimes joyfully, without intending to impress, each work speaks for itself. And it seems that the arrangement is not accidental, because when the book is closed, the silence still echoes…”

Artist couple Truong Hoang Them - Do Thuy Mai have made many contributions to the art of photography with their outstanding works. Artist Truong Hoang Them has been awarded the title of Outstanding Photographic Artist (E.VAPA/G) and Outstanding Artist of the International Federation of Photographic Art (EFIAP). As for Artist Do Thuy Mai, she is the first female photographer in the Mekong Delta region to be admitted as a member of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists (in 1998) and a member of the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP).

Hot Kitchen (2019). Photo: Truong Hoang Them

My Thuan Bridge (2000). Photo: Truong Hoang Them

Rach Cau Fishing Village (2005). Photo: Truong Hoang Them

Artist Truong Hoang Them is the Chairman of the Ca Mau Province Literature and Arts Association. He was elected as a member of the Executive Committee and Standing Committee of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists for three consecutive terms V, VI, and VII. He has many good initiatives, actively contributing to the orientation of building the photography movement nationwide to develop more and more, affirming the trend and prospect of Vietnamese photography in the new period. Artist Le Hong Linh said: "Usually, when artists switch to management work, their works gradually "fail", and they even no longer have the conditions to create. But Artist Truong Hoang Them is an exception. The more he participates in the Association's work, the more he travels, takes more photos and produces many new works with high content, ideas and artistic values." In this book, readers have the opportunity to admire many of his excellent works such as "My Thuan Bridge", "The Beauty of the Highlands", "The Meo King's Palace", "Bright Spots", "Ca Mau Cape", "Rach Tau Fishing Village", "Sparkling Stone Silver", "Cat Ba Mountains and Rivers", "Ca Mau Children's Village", "Sapa in the Clouds"...

Good harvest of anchovies (2014). Photo: Do Thuy Mai

As for artist Do Thuy Mai, she has a special affection for women and children. It is a world filled with so much love, compassion and compassion. With “Angel”, she had to go in and out of the hospital many times until she captured the moment of birth of three newborn babies with three different expressions that many people were moved by their pure loveliness when looking at them. “Hanh” taken in 1999 is a contrasting image between a small human and the scorching sun on the vast cracked earth. Through works in books such as “Tuoi hoa”,
“Forest Rain”, “Vow”, “New Works”, “Folk Dance”, “Mending Nets”… show her diverse creative ability. In 2018, she was the only female artist to participate in the “First Nude Art Exhibition” held in Hanoi with the work “Lines of Creation”.

NSNA Thuy Mai confided: “My husband and I make a living from journalism. From the environment of journalism, we naturally entered the field of artistic photography, gradually loving and being passionate about it. Throughout the length of the S-shaped strip of land, we have had the opportunity to meet and preserve many moments about the country and people of Vietnam... Whether by chance, unexpectedly or arranged from previously sketched ideas, the homeland's landscapes and everyday people with many emotional ranges always take center stage in our works.”

Bright Eyes of the Heart (2009). Photo: Do Thuy Mai

With a burning passion for the art of photography, photography lovers at home and abroad will certainly continue to enjoy the harmonies of color and light from this talented couple.