The exhibition introduces 38 typical watercolor portraits by artist Nguyen Thu Ha, with the prototypes being highland girls, women of many professions and ages.
Each portrait exudes beauty in appearance and human soul, while also bringing a source of emotions and a unique story that is skillfully and delicately portrayed by the artist through clear, thoughtful colors.
The elusive watercolor material is skillfully used by artist Nguyen Thu Ha to create soft yet strong, bright yet deep layers, giving each character their own space to create attraction.
One of the most memorable moments of the exhibition opening came from the appearance of singer Pham Thu Ha - "Semi-classical Nightingale", who is also the prototype in the painting "Song of Light".
As if stepping out of a painting, singer Pham Thu Ha suddenly sang the song "Nightingale" by Alyabyev - a song associated with the image of a bird, which is also a detail appearing in her own portrait. Her pure, soaring yet emotional voice made the whole space silent for a few seconds before exploding with applause.
Singer Pham Thu Ha emotionally shared: "I am here because I know that painter Nguyen Thu Ha made this exhibition with all her heart. We seem to have a harmony in art with full creative inspiration. When singing 'Nightingale', I want to thank the painter who gave me inspiration through a very special painting."
The appearance and companionship of the archetypes has made art more vivid than ever. Viewers have felt the portraits in the paintings, also seen the journey behind each work through each personal story, dialogue, and subtle connection between the painter and the character.
Meritorious Artist Cao Ngoc Anh, who has been following Nguyen Thu Ha's artistic journey, commented: "The exhibition truly brought a world of subtle, thoughtful inner feelings. The musical bridge at the opening ceremony seemed to awaken the characters in the paintings, making them come out and talk to us."
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu, the prototype of the work "Red Symphony" traveled from Hai Phong to Ho Chi Minh City to attend the opening ceremony to recount the encounter. Accordingly, she knew the artist through social networks and was impressed from the first paintings. And then they created a work as the prototype had long wished with the red color that Ms. Thu loved.
Ms. Kim Thanh, the prototype of the work "Peace", shared about the harmony: "The artist has a very special energy. Ha said she had to draw two pictures of me. During the creation process, there were very deep sympathies. I hope these works will be spread more widely."
These stories show that watercolor portraits do not stop at the exhibition scale of technique or color. It is an exhibition of people living, feeling and reflecting on each other. Art has therefore come closer to life, so that each painting becomes a simple yet powerful dialogue.
In addition to bringing aesthetic experiences to the public, the exhibition was also connected by artist Nguyen Thu Ha to practical charitable activities. The artist organized the sale of postcards (miniature prints) of the works and all the money donated by the audience was transferred to the account of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front to support people in flood-affected areas.
Each postcard represents an act of sharing and solidarity. Each viewer brings their heart to the places still struggling with natural disasters. At the opening ceremony, in a space filled with emotions, artist Nguyen Thu Ha said emotionally: "In each painting, I put my infinite gratitude. The prototypes did not hesitate to travel far to be here today. Everyone's presence really touched me. In particular, the sharing of art-loving audiences is also something I deeply appreciate. Watercolor art has inspired love of beauty and sharing, which is truly wonderful."
Few people know that the artist’s artistic journey is not a straight path. Graduating from the University of Industrial Fine Arts in 2002, Nguyen Thu Ha turned to fashion, ceramics, graphics, film... before returning to the easel in 2021. Those experiences became valuable materials for her to form a watercolor style rich in soft, clear emotions, full of light and always present with subtle tones.
After the milestone of her solo exhibition in Hanoi in 2024, she went south with a series of works bearing her own mark. That is the purity in "Thien Thanh", the thoughtfulness of "Linh Ca Anh Sang", the innocence in "Hoa Cua Nui", the cultural sediment of "Moi Ba Moi Bay" or the maturity of femininity through the portrait of her daughter Oliu.
Within the framework of the exhibition, the artist also conducted a live sketching session with musician Nguyen Van Chung as the model. At the same time, the book "Watercolor Portraits - Reflections through Mirrors" was also released in a new version, opening a wider door to the artist's inner world of watercolors. The exhibition "Watercolor Portraits - Reflections through Mirrors" takes place from November 22 to 30, 2025 with a story about art connecting with the community and compassion.
Source: https://nhandan.vn/hoa-si-nguyen-thu-ha-cung-cong-chung-yeu-hoi-hoa-chung-tay-vi-dong-bao-vung-lu-post925627.html
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