Artist Van Ngoc uses the raw concrete floor of a residential building for an exhibition

Painter Van Ngoc has just had his 23rd exhibition with his new and energetic brainchildren. Previously, his installation work Aftershock won the A prize from the Vietnam Fine Arts Association in 2006, and Portrait won the first prize from the Vietnam Fine Arts Association in 2011...

This reunion, he introduces to the public more than 60 multi-material works, collaged in many sizes (mostly 122 x 244 cm), selected from about 100 works made in the last 3 consecutive years, including installations, in a unique art space right in the coastal city of Vung Tau.

Occupying an entire floor of raw concrete in a residential building opposite Vung Tau bus station, the exhibition is an interactive installation-within-an-installation concept, intended for the public, that will run until the end of 2024.

With Sea Wall , artist Van Ngoc wants to interpret art about the power of nature.

With Sea Wall , artist Van Ngoc wants to artistically interpret the power of nature when witnessing the different forms of waves in the moment of encountering obstacles. In a deeper perspective, Sea Wall is an inspiration to reflect on the nature of the embankment system, the structure of works that protect human life, property, culture, architecture, and residence from the relentless impacts of nature.

He believes: "Art does not explain. I make art starting from my feelings about life."

Coming to the Sea Wall , viewers are surprised by a space covered in a gray-white color of heavy materials from the wall to the floor. Square, long, slanted concrete blocks like breakwaters, like aftershocks after a storm... Large-sized paintings weighing 30 - 40 kg stand upright like a barrier. Small paintings are broken like ocean waves hitting and breaking on the concrete surface of the wall, leaving behind abandoned objects, trash...

Painter Van Ngoc shares with guests at the exhibition

Looking at The Sea Wall , one can clearly feel Van Ngoc's restraint and condensation, not only in the materials and tones but also in the shapes. The lines are almost no longer suggestive, but become vague blocks, or unconscious, aimless geometric lines.

Musician Tran Tien came to the exhibition to share joy with painter Van Ngoc

Audiences admire his unique works

Obviously, Van Ngoc is not a Cubist. Each surface of the Sea Wall is not Cubist at all. But if you look at the thousand square meters of the Sea Wall , it is easy to imagine a giant Cubist work.

Painter Van Ngoc was born in 1959 in Phu Tho. He grew up and studied at the Phu Tho Provincial College of Fine Arts. He studied at the Hanoi University of Fine Arts from 1986 to 1992. In 1993, Van Ngoc and his wife moved from the North to Vung Tau to live.

At the age of 65 with 40 years of professional art experience, painter Van Ngoc is still reserved with the view of letting his works speak for themselves. He is also a rare artist at this age who is still passionate about working and creating on "heavy" materials: iron, steel, stainless steel, glass, mirrors, bolts...

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hoa-si-van-ngoc-dung-tang-be-tong-tho-cua-toa-nha-dan-cu-lam-trien-lam-185241115181207709.htm